Dragons opt to bat against promoted Knights

The Auto Investments North West Dragons have won the toss and have elected to bat first against the Knights in the second match of the CSA T20 Challenge at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon.

The home side will be looking to get off to a good start back in the top division after spending last season down in the second division of South African cricket. A sad state for Free State cricket but indicative as they lost both their last encounters against the Dragons in 2022.

In February 2022, the Dragons claimed an 8-wicket victory in Gqeberha with 59 balls remaining. The Knights were restricted to a paltry 94 for nine in 20 overs with Senuran Muthusamy (2-8) and Johannes Diseko (2-19) being chief wicket-takers.

Only three players made double figures with Patrick Kruger top-scoring with 20, while Jason Raubenheimer (19) and Migael Pretorius (12) made some contributions. In response, Wesley Marshall (43) and Heino Kuhn (30 not out) did the damage upfront as the Dragons finished on 95 for two.

The last encounter back in November 2022, saw the Dragons claim a 22-run win with Kuhn making a 47-ball 50 while Duan Jansen smashed 39 from just 15 balls as the Dragons posted 154 for six batting first. In reply, the Knights were bundled out for 132 with Renaldo Meyer (3-26) and Caleb Seleka (3-13) decimating the Knights.

The Knights will be led by former Cobras spinner, Dane Piedt and include some good players like Gihahn Cloete, Aaron Phangiso and Malusi Siboto. The visitors will be led by Wihan Lubbe and include the likes of Matthew Kleinveldt, Lesiba Ngoepe, Ruan de Swart, Meek-Eel Prince as well as the Jansen brothers – Marco and Duan.

TEAMS

Knights – Aaron Phangiso, Aubrey Swanepoel, Dane Piedt (c), Dian Forrester, Gerrit Snyman, Gihahn Cloete (wk), Johan van Dyk, Lesego Senokwane, Malusi Siboto, Patrick Botha, Tiaan Van Vuuren.

Auto Investments North West Dragons – Achille Cloete, Caleb Seleka, Duan Jansen, Janneman Malan, Kerwin Mungroo, Lesiba Ngoepe, Matthew Kleinveldt, Meeka-Eel Prince (wk), Migael Pretorius, Rubin Hermann, Wihan Lubbe (c).