Kemm inspires Heat to a 44-run win

Ernest Kemm's brilliant century powered Northern Cape Heat to a 44-run victory over Mpumalanga Rhinos in their Momentum One-Day Cup match at Uplands College on Thursday.

Heat scored an impressive 345, thanks to Kemm's ton. In their chase, Rhinos needed 346 runs to win at 6.90 runs an over, but the home team only managed 301 runs at 6.02 runs an over in their 50 overs.

Rhinos won the toss and chose to bowl.

Heat's opening pair of Jonathan Vandiar and Ernest Kemm, who looked comfortable at the crease, gave their team a solid platform by putting together a 145-run partnership.

The Rhinos bowlers had no answers to the left-handed duo as they rushed to 74 without losing a wicket in the PowerPlay.

Vandiar, who has had stints with the Dolphins and the Lions, was eventually dismissed for 78 by Caleb Balich. The 31-year-old top-edged a well-directed bouncer. Vandiar’s dismissal did little to slow down Kemm’s momentum.

The former Titans man is in a rich vein of form, he scored a half-century in Northern Cape Heat's last match. Undeterred by the wicket, the 31-year-old recorded his third List A century with his fantastic 109 runs from 101 balls.

Heat then lost their way after the 36th over, after Kemm’s dismissal which was followed by a clump of wickets, the first one being Isaac Dikgale’s wicket which came an over later. In that period, Heat lost four wickets in eight overs, adding only 52 runs.

The innings was rescued by a Hanu Viljeon cameo. The 20-year-old came in and blasted his way to 45 runs off 28 deliveries. Bowler Victor Mahlangu also made a very handy contribution with his unbeaten 29 runs off 16 deliveries.

Kgaudise Molefe was Rhinos’ best bowler on the day. The 21-year-old former SA Under-19 spinner took three wickets in his 10 overs.

Rhinos found themselves in the weeds early on into the match as they lost both of their openers in the first three overs. Rhinos’ opening pair of Yassar Cook and Rubin Hermann, who didn't trouble the scorers, faced a sum of 10 deliveries for their ducks.

Tumi Koto and Liam Peters attempted to stabilise the innings by forming a substantial partnership. However, the Heat’s bowlers were too good and managed to get a breakthrough in the 13th over when Aubrey Swanepoel dismissed Peters for a well-played 28 from 29.

Koto and Peters’ 64-run third-wicket partnership was Rhinos’ highest partnership of the day.

On a day where Northern Cape Heat’s bowling attack was dominant, half-centuries from Benjamin van Niekerk, Tumi Koto and Bamanye Xenxe were not enough to save the day for the hosts. All three recorded their maiden List A half-centuries in a losing cause.

Van Niekerk’s 75 runs off 90 balls, while Tumi Koto’s 51 came off 57 balls, and Bamanye Xenxe’s 55 came off 50 deliveries.

Beyers Swanepoel was Heat’s best bowler with his three wickets.

The 23-year-old pacer from Garsfontein had the second-best economy among the Northern Cape Heat bowlers, conceding runs at 5.25 runs an over in his 10 overs.

Aubrey Swanepoel, who walked away with a solitary wicket, had the best economy. He conceded runs at 3.40 runs an over in his allotted 10 overs.

Kemm was adjudged Player of the Match.

MPUMALANGA RHINOS:Yassar Cook, Rubin Hermann, Tumi Koto, Liam Peters, Glen Adams, Benjamin van Niekerk, Blake Schraader, Caleb Balich, Bamanye Xenxe, Jon Hinrichsen, Kgaudise Molefe.

NORTHERN CAPE HEAT:Jonathan Vandiar, Ernest Kemm, Isaac Dikgale, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Evan Jones, Aubrey Swanepoel, Hanu Viljoen, Beyers Swanepoel, Victor Mahlangu, Johan van Dyk, Andrew Rasemene.