Van der Dussen stars as Lions maul Tuskers

Rassie van der Dussen scored a classy half-century as he shepherded the DP World Lions to a seven-wicket win over the AET Tuskers in their CSA T20 Challenge match at the DP World Wanderers on Sunday.

The hosts bungled the Tuskers out for 132 for nine, before chasing down that target with 15 balls to spare. They scored 136 in 17.3 overs.

The Proteas star expertly managed the chase, registering his 35th T20 half-ton, in the process. Van der Dussen carved two fours and three sixes for his unbeaten 51 off 35. At the time of the victory, he was in the company of Mitchell van Buuren who had cantered to 23 off 19.

🦁 Job Done.

Lions win by 7️⃣ wickets.

Hamza 49
VD Dussen 51

Van Buuren finishes off the match in style for our Lions! 🔥#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt#LionsCricket #ThePrideOfJozi pic.twitter.com/pR1LoB8tqm

— DP World Lions (@LionsCricketSA) April 21, 2024

The Lions have been one of the better teams with the bat this season. Their top six have been peeling off runs at a good rate. However, one of the few times when they have faltered this season has been against the Tuskers. They were out to prove that the visitors' victory at the Wanderers earlier in the season had been a fluke. Van der Dussen and van Buuren's finishing touches on the match were built on the foundation of a good start provided by Zubayr Hamza.

Hamza was the first batter to make a statement with an excellent 38-ball innings. He carved seven fours and two sixes on his way to 49. The 29-year-old agonisingly fell one run shy of his fifth T20 half-ton. However, he had done more than enough to put his team ahead of the game. The Lions were on 83 when he was dismissed.

VAN DER DUSSEN TAKES CONTROL

Rassie van der Dussen, Hamza's partner at the time of his dismissal, had no trouble taking over control of the innings.

Batting has been a big issue for the Tuskers this season. Their batters struggled to get going, save for one or two moments where they have shone glimpses of brilliance. This was not one of those moments. Cameron Shekleton top-scored for them with a handy 42 from 36. Kyle Nipper came in and played his shots, carving two fours and two sixes, for his 30 off 25. Kagiso Rapulana (14), Michael Erlank (12) and Thando Ntini (12) were the only other batters to reach double figures.

The Tuskers' poor showing with the bat was due to the clinical bowling performance of the Lions' bowling attack.

Nqaba Peter is enjoying a dream debut season for the Lions. He has been spinning webs around batters and was no different when bowling to the Tuskers. Peter struck twice in the 11th over to nip a budding third-wicket partnership between Kyle Nipper and Cameron Shekleton to hand his side complete control of the innings. The spinner finished the match with three wickets for 15 in four overs. The youngster built on a platform constructed by the bowlers before him.

Bjorn Fortuin and Lutho Sipamla supported Nqaba Peter well, bagging a brace of wickets each. Fortuin had the better economy, having conceded at 4.75 runs an over. Sipamla went at 6.25. Delano Potgieter took one for 10 in two overs.

LIONS: Zubayr Hamza, Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Mitchell van Buuren, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Delano Potgieter, Bjorn Fortuin (c), Codi Yusuf, Lutho Sipamla, Nqaba Peter.

TUSKERS: Michael Erlank, Cameron Delport, Kagiso Rapulana, Smamgaliso Nhebela, Cameron Shekleton, Thando Ntini, Kyle Nipper, Keith Dudgeon, Ntando Zuma, Mondli Khumalo, Kurtlyn Mannikam.