Titans beat Knights by 10 runs
A century second-wicket stand between Theunis de Bruyn and Patrick Kruger was not enough as the Multiply Titans clawed their way back to beat the VKB Knights by 10 runs in their T20 Challenge clash at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Sunday.
The pair put on 102 together, a record between the two teams, to leave their side on track in their pursuit of 169 to beat the defending champions.
But after the captain De Bruyn fell for 47, there was little in terms of support from the rest of the home sides’ batsmen with the weight of expectation too much for Kruger to handle as they slumped from 127/3 in the 15th over to 158/6 by the close.
Kruger eventually fell for an outstanding 79 (60 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) with no one else in the Knights line-up reaching double figures.
It was an all-round performance for the visitors with both bat and ball.
The squeeze in the field was provided by their skipper Albie Morkel, who took 1/16, while Lungi Ngidi excelled with 1/20. The pick of the bowlers, however, was Malusi Siboto with 2/25 and David Wiese claimed 2/33.
The Knights had won the toss and opted to field at the start, with their bowlers doing well to keep the log-leaders to 168/5.
Heino Kuhn top scored with 40 and there were 30s from Qaasim Adams (36) and Farhaan Behardien (37 not out).
The best of the Knights bowlers was Marchant de Lange with 2/32.
Victory for the Titans was their fifth in six games – the odd match being a wash-out – as they extended their advantage at the summit.
The Central franchise are now bottom after a fourth loss in five games.