Jordan Hermann scored an unbeaten half-century to guide the Dafabet Warriors to an eight-wicket victory over Dafabet Boland in the first semifinal of the YesPlay Pro20 Cup at YesPlay Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.
Herman’s innings included seven boundaries and three sixes from 53 balls to end unbeaten on 82 as the Warriors ended on 163 for two in pursuit of 161 after Tristan Stubbs had won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Despite losing Sibonela Makhanya (0) early, trapped in front by Boland captain Glenton Stuurman (4-0-28-1), Herman and JP King (24) set about laying the foundation for the chase with a second-wicket stand of 55 from 32 balls before Imran Manack (4-0-30-1) had King stumped down the legside by Blayde Capell.
The loss of King did not deter Herman at all, who then added 99 unbeaten runs for the third wicket with Stubbs (44 not out) from 78 deliveries as the pair controlled the balance of the chase with perfection, with Stubbs striking two sixes and just one four.
Much could be said about the bowling from the men from Paarl, who looked bereft of ideas, bowling too short far too often. Lizaad Williams conceded 32 runs from his three overs while Akhona Mnyaka (1.1-0-21-0) and Siya Mahima (1-0-13-0) offered little support.
WEGE ON HIS OWN
Earlier, Gysbert Wege (48) fell just short of a half-century and had very little support as Boland stumbled to 160 for seven in their 20 overs. Wege struck six boundaries and a six from 33 deliveries, sharing in a third-wicket stand of 41 from 29 balls with Blayde Capell (33).
Neil Brand (25) looked to get Boland off to a fast start, striking four boundaries from 19 balls before driving Matthew Boast (4-0-24-3) straight to Stubbs at mid-off. Gavin Kaplan (10) failed to deliver while Jhedli van Briesies (22) looked completely agricultural during his 21-ball innings.
Ferisco Adams (13) struck two sixes from six balls before being caught by Boast off the bowling of Beuren Hendricks (4-0-35-2), who also claimed the wicket of Wege.
The Warriors, who won last year’s CSA T20 Challenge with a Super Over win over Boland at Boland Park, will look to defend their title against the victors of the second semifinal between the DP World Lions and YesPlay Western Province Cobras at 14h00.