Wins all round for the DP World Lions

Following on from the CSA 4-Day Series triumph the Lions’ bucket was overflowing with more success over the weekend as both the men’s and women's teams won their matches for a perfect four from four record.

The DP World Lions men’s team began their CSA T20 Challenge campaign with convincing victories over the Rocks at home and against the North-West Dragons in Potchefstroom.

First up was a 44-run victory over the Rocks at DP World Wanderers Stadium on Friday, 8 March, followed by a nine-wicket win over the Dragons, earning a much-valued bonus point.

The DP World Lions women represented the Pride just as proudly, beating the Garden Route Badgers by eight wickets with 22 overs to spare in their one-day match, and then winning a thrilling T20 match against the same South-Western Districts side by just two runs.

Proteas star Ayabonga Khaka was the queen of the DP World Wanderers as she took 3-10 in seven overs in the 50-over encounter and then claimed four wickets in a match-winning burst in the T20 clash.

The Pride of Jozi were only defending a total of 114 for five and SWD were cruising at 84 for two after 14 overs when Khaka, who has played 154 matches for the Proteas across all formats, returned to the attack. She devoured the opposition: The 31-year-old sent them crashing from 84 for two to 107 for six, with unrivalled skill and accuracy admired by all.

With fellow Protea Tumi Sekhukhune (4-0-25-1) also bowling superbly at the other end, the Badgers ended at 112 for seven. Left-arm seamer Relebohile Mkhize also struck two vital blows up front after SWD had made a blazing start, removing both openers, Tabitha la Grange and in-form Proteas star Tazmin Brits, ending with phenomenal figures of two for seven in her four overs.

The DP World Lions had been sent in to bat and their total of 114 for five was built around solid top-order contributions - Madison Landsman (30), Kirstie Thomson (23), Diara Ramlakan (26) and Sinalo Jafta (31 not out) all chipping in.

In the 50-over match, the tale of the tape was one-sided as the Badgers could not measure up against a daunting DP World Lions attack. Key batter Brits was bowled first ball by a tremendous delivery from Khaka with the rest of the line-up managing to muster just 121 before being bowled out.

Khaka (7-2-10-3) led the way, but captain and spinner Kgomotso Rapoo was a real threat in the middle overs with two for 24 in nine overs. Seamers Lehlohonolo Meso (6-2-18-1) and Sekhukhune (7-1-20-1) kept the pressure tight.

A high-energy run-chase then saw the DP World Lions chase down the target in just 28 overs, Sunette Viljoen-Louw scoring an electrifying run-a-ball 46 not out, while Nonkululeko Thabethe (33) and Thomson (24 not out) provided industrious support.

HIGHEST TOTAL

The DP World Lions men’s team look well set to take on the big fish in Division One after they saw off the challenges of the Rocks and Dragons with impressive ease, taking a healthy haul of nine log points into Wednesday’s match against the Dolphins at Kingsmead.

Having been sent in to bat by the Rocks, the Lions moved swiftly and efficiently to a record-breaking 223 for five in their 20 overs – the franchise’s highest ever total and the highest in domestic cricket at the DP World Wanderers Stadium.

Ryan Rickelton’s 75 off just 39 balls was a special innings and Rassie van der Dussen then provided the big finish as he raced to 42 not out off only 22 deliveries. It was a well-balanced batting effort though with Reeza Hendricks (28 off 18), Temba Bavuma (26 off 16) and Wiaan Mulder (22 off 11) all batting with good intent.

The Bolanders were caught on the hop by Evan Jones (4-0-34-2) coming on first change as he struck twice in his first over, while left-arm spinner and captain Bjorn Fortuin (4-0-21-2) inevitably lured a couple of batsmen to their destruction.

But the bowling effort of the night belonged to Kwena Maphaka, making his T20 debut for the Pride. The 17-year-old understandably left the field beaming after he finished with an outstanding 3-22 in his four overs, looking every bit a class bowler of premium talent with his quality left-arm seam.

The match against North-West in Potchefstroom was equally satisfying for Lions fans as their side's attack scythed through the Dragons batting line-up, bowling them out for 103. Spinner Junaid Dawood had his moment to shine as he took two wickets in his first over and ended with three for 23 in four, while Maphaka again showed he is comfortable at this level with 2-11 in three overs up front with the new ball. Fortuin again excelled with 2-14 in three overs.

Hendricks then mowed 57 not out off 30 balls to rush the Lions to victory in 10.4 overs, putting on 76 for the first wicket for the second match in succession also thanks to a solid 34 off 26 from Rickelton.

DP WORLD LIONS WOMEN'S SQUAD:

Relebohile Mkhize; Raisibe Ntozakhe; Sarah Nettleton; Kirstie Thomson; Ayabonga Khaka; Nonkululeko Thabethe; Kgomotso Rapoo (C); Sunette Viljoen-Louw; Sinalo Jafta; Diara Ramlakan; Lehlohonolo Meso; Samantha Schutte; Sarah Barber; Tumi Sekhukhune; Madison Landsman

DP WORLD LIONS MEN'S CSA T20 CHALLENGE SQUAD:

Ryan Rickelton; Reeza Hendricks; Temba Bavuma ; Rassie van der Dussen; Mitchell van Buuren; Wiaan Mulder; Evan Jones; Bjorn Fortuin; Tshepo Moreki; Codi Yusuf; Kwena Maphaka; Zubayr Hamza; Connor Esterhuizen; Junaid Dawood; Nqaba Peter; Kagiso Rabada; Delano Potgieter; Lutho Sipamla.