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Spartans book MSL final berth

cricket13 December 2019 18:51| © MWP
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David Wiese © Gallo Images

The Tshwane Spartans booked a trip to the final after beating the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants by 22 runs in the Mzansi Super League 2.0 qualifier at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

With 167 runs to chase and a spot in Monday’s showpiece against the Paarl Rocks on the line, the Giants could only reach 144 for eight, much to the disappointment of the 7000-strong home crowd.

Former Proteas quick Morne Morkel was superb for the Spartans taking the wickets of Heino Kuhn (5) and the dangerous Marco Marais (11) for only 22 runs in his four overs. David Wiese also weighed in with 3-30 at the death.

Ben Dunk continued his good form as the competition’s leading run-scorer in contributing 35 from 22 balls while Ryan ten Doeschate added 26 in the middle order.

Chris Morris clubbed a late 42 but in the end it was a bridge too far for the Bay outfit after the remainder of the Giants batsmen had crumbled under the pressure of the occasion.

RECORD PARTNERSHIP

Earlier, an unbeaten, record fifth-wicket partnership of 87 between Pite van Biljon and Wiese helped the Spartans post 166 for four.

Van Biljon slammed 48 not out while Wiese, playing in his first match of the campaign, carved 31 not out to ensure the visitors posted a competitive total.

After Giants captain Jon-Jon Smuts won the toss and opted to field, the Spartans slipped to 79 for four in the in the 12th over before the experienced duo stepped in.

Their stand broke the previous mark of 63 set by Van Biljon and AB de Villiers against Jozi Stars in Johannesburg earlier this season.

Van Biljon faced 32 balls that included five fours and one six while Wiese made his runs off only 23 deliveries.

Mthiwekhaya Nabe, brought in as cover for the injured Junior Dala, picked up two vital wickets with slower deliveries for the Giants.

He made the initial breakthrough having Dean Elgar (14) brilliantly caught by a diving Chris Morris at mid-on and then deceived De Villiers (27) into finding the hands on Smuts at mid-off.

Nabe finished with figures of 2-24.

Lutho Sipamla was a late replacement for the Spartans after Lungi Ngidi, worryingly for the Proteas, suffered a hamstring strain before the toss.


NMB GIANTS: Ben Dunk (wk), Matthew Breetzke, Jon-Jon Smuts (capt), Heino Kuhn, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Marco Marais, Chris Morris, Nandre Burger, Akhona Mnyaka, Imran Tahir, Mthiwekhaya Nabe

TSHWANE SPARTANS: Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, AB de Villiers, Heinrich Klaasen (wk, capt), Pite van Biljon, David Wiese, Corbin Bosch, Roelof van der Merwe, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Manack

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