Western Province maintains unbeaten streak in the CSA One-Day Cup

Western Province remained unbeaten in the CSA One-Day Cup with a narrow two-wicket win against the Momentum Multiply Titans at Supersport Park, Centurion, securing a home semifinal in the process.

Chasing 218, Province crossed the line with 19 overs to spare thanks to 56 from 41 balls by skipper Kyle Verrynne, 40 in 44 balls from opener Tony de Zorzi and a cameo 37 from 22 balls by George Linde. Province were cruising thanks to partnerships of 79 for the third wicket between De Zorzi and Verrynne and 60 for the fifth wicket between Linde and Valentine Kitime (25), but wobbled toward the end of their effort as they lost three wickets for four runs, the bowlers having to see them home.

The Titans bowlers were their own worst enemies as they gave away too many extras including 17 wides, gifting runs to Province. As the bowlers built pressure, so they strayed, loosening whatever stranglehold they had built up. Despite this, the Titans never gave up the fight, making the visitors earn their win.

Best of the Titans bowlers was Matthew Boast with 3-58 in seven overs, supported by the veteran offspinner Aaron Phangiso who claimed two wickets in one over to finish with 2-55 in his seven overs. While looking good at times, Boast was wayward and guilty of boosting the extras column with a healthy haul of wides.

Earlier, the Titans, who were asked to bat, were reeling at 0-3 as their top order was decimated by Nandre Burger and Beuran Hendricks. Matthew Kleinveldt, Modiri Litheko and the in-form Dean Elgar all registered ducks and at 13-4 and 40-5, it looked to be an early night’s work for Western Province.

However, Dewald Brevis, who walked in to bat at the end of the first over, stood tall and firm, showing his class and great maturity in compiling a masterly 116 from 118 balls, by far the shining light in a more than ordinary batting display from the Titans. He shared in a 62-run sixth wicket partnership with Donovan Ferreira who blasted 44 from 41 balls and added 67 runs for the ninth wicket with Phangiso (17), before being the last man out in the 42nd over. Ayabulela Gqamane (14) was the only other batsman to reach double figures.

With the ball, paceman Mihlali Mpongwana claimed 3-47 in nine overs, but it was Burger (2-52) in nine and Hendricks (2-18) in seven, who initiated the early collapse. Offspinner George Linde finished with 1-50 in his 10-over spell, the only Province bowler to send down his full quota.

The bonus point win sees Province top the CSA One-Day Cup standings with 25 points after six matches, while the Titans remain fourth with 13 points.

Titans:  Matthew Kleinveldt, Modiri Litheko(wkt), Dewald Brevis, Dean Elgar (capt), Donavon Ferreira, Abdu Galliem, Ayabulela Gqamane,Matthew Boast, Joshua van Heerden, Junior Dala, Aaron Phangiso.

Western Province: Tony de Zorzi, Jonathan Bird, David Bedingham, Sello Kitime, Kyle Verreynne Capt, wkt), Mihlali Mpongwana, George Linde, Abdullah Bayoumy, Beuran Hendricks, Dane Paterson, Nandre Burger