Tarr half century help Knights beat Warriors

Garnett Tarr smashed a blistering half century from just 28 balls to help the ITEC Knights to a competitive total of 166-9 and ultimately victory by 16-runs in their T20 Challenge match against the Dafabet Warriors at St.George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday.

An opening stand of 107 between Matthew Breetzke (66) and Jordan Hermann (51) appeared to have put the home side well on course for victory until veteran spinner Aaron Phangiso (4-0-17-2) prompted a dramatic implosion in the final overs as they crashed to 150-6.

Seamer Malusi Siboto (4-0-28-4) was exceptional bowling the ‘death overs’ but the Warriors batsmen made some questionable decisions when cool heads were required.

Earlier Gihan Cloete was dismissed first ball by Beyers Swanepoel after the Knights chose to bat first but fellow opener Gerrit Snyman was undeterred and belted 42 from 26 balls (5x4, 2x6) before heaving Siya Simetu to Renaldo Meyer to deep midwicket.

Lesego Senokwane’s innings of 27 from 22 balls (2x4, 1x6) finished in similar fashion against Patrick Kruger, Hermann claiming the catch, and Simetu (4-0-18-2) also had Patrick Botha (8) caught at long off by Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje.

But 24-year-old Tarr played a blinder with just three fours but four sixes with the experienced spinner Senuran Muthusamy (3-0-28-0) feeling the brunt of his onslaught.

There were unexpected but very welcome runs from Phangiso batting at a lofty No 8 as he fashioned 18 from only 10 balls with a four and a six before being run out attempting a third run.

Simetu was the pick of the attack while Swanepoel’s two wickets came at a cost of 42 from his four overs and allrounder Patrick Kruger claimed 2-24 from three overs. Nortje went wicketless in four overs which cost 32 runs.

The Knights might have won even more comprehensively but left arm fast bowler Tiaan van Vuuren had Breetzke caught on 29 and bowled Hermann on 48, both with no-balls.

But Phangiso bowled Breetzke for 66 from 46 balls (6x4, 2x6) and trapped Jean du Plessis lbw four balls later to finally apply some pressure and Siboto’s calm discipline got the job done for the visitors.

DAFABET WARRIORS: Andile Mogakane, Jordan Hermann, Matthew Breetzke (captain), Jean du Plessis (wk), Patrick Kruger, Beyers Swanepoel, Senuran Muthusamy, Sinethemba Qeshile, Renaldo Meyer, Siya Simetu, Anrich Nortje.

ITEC KNIGHTS: Gihan Cloete (wkt), Lesego Senokwane, Garnett Tarr, Dian Forrester, Gerrit Snyman, Patrick Botha, Sithembile Langa, Dane Piedt (captain), Tiaan van Vuuren, Malusi Siboto, Aaron Phangiso.