Eddie Moore scored a sensational century to set Western Province up for an emphatic 48-run bonus point win over the AET Tuskers in their CSA T20 Challenge match at Newlands Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Moore's century lifted Western Province to 208 for six and the Tuskers scored 160 for seven in reply.
Moore looked invincible as he carved 11 fours and four sixes for his maiden T20 ton, 101 off 58 balls.
The 31-year-old started his innings like a house on fire as he constructed a 40-run opening stand with Tony de Zorzi.
After that partnership collapsed, Western Province sent out Wayne Parnell instead of Jonathan Bird at No 3.
The left-hander did what was asked of him by Western Province coach Salieg Nackerdien.
He swung his bat at everything and raced to a 29-ball 46 runs.
The allrounder did not just maintain the momentum of Western Province's opening partnership, he upped it, relegating Moore to the role of spectator.
Moore retained control of the innings after his 113-run second-wicket partnership with Parnell collapsed and upped the tempo.
He faced 32 balls for his first 50 runs and only 25 for the second.
Western Province lost their way a little bit after Moore's dismissal in the 17th over and at one moment, it looked like 200 was beyond their reach, though at some point they had looked good for a score of 210 or more.
But, Kyle Verreynne was not to be denied a huge total for his team.
He harvested 18 runs with the help from Kyle Simmonds in the last over to see their team to 208.
🔄Change Of Innings
— CSA Domestic Leagues (@DomesticCSA) March 27, 2024
🟠🔵 Eddie Moore ripped through the Tuskers to reach 💯 and help WP get to a total of 2️⃣0️⃣8️⃣/6️⃣
🐘 Tuskers will need 209 runs to win #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #CSAT20Challenge pic.twitter.com/kHE8ZPgBLv
RAPULANA AND DUDGEON SHINE AS TUSKERS TOIL
The Tuskers' innings had a lot of problems and had two positive innings, one from Kagiso Rapulana and the other from Keith Dudgeon.
Rapulana creamed six fours on his way to a 37-ball 50 for Rapulana, his second T20 half-century.
The diminutive batter was the lone Tuskers player to take on the attack.
In the Powerplay, he was a big reason why Hendricks and Parnell conceded 27 runs in their first three overs.
The Rapulana-instigated flying start start forced Western Province captain Kyle Verreynne to change tactics and give the ball to his spinners.
The tweakers turned the screws on the Tuskers batters and the sustained pressure from slower balls yielded a wicket in the ninth over, James dismissing Tian Koekemoer.
Juan James's maiden T20 wicket pinned the Tuskers' backs further back against the wall.
In his next over, James bagged his second scalp, clean-bowling Tuskers captain Michael Erlank.
Rapulana showed intent while wickets tumbled at the other end and that aggressive approach led to his dismissal.
He was caught at the long-on boundary, trying to dispatch a Simmonds delivery over the ropes.
After Rapulana's dismissal, a score of 150 for the Tuskers looked improbable. Then Dudgeon stepped up.
The 28-year-old, who starred with the ball against the Lions over the weekend, showcased his T20 batting skills as he scored an imperious 35 off 17 that featured four fours and a single six.
His effort almost denied Western Province the bonus point. Had the Tuskers reached 167, Western Province would have missed out on the extra points.
Debutant Juan James was Western Province's bowler of the match. The 19-year-old bagged two wickets for 12 runs in two overs.
His fellow spinner, Kyle Simmonds also took a brace, but at a slightly higher economy rate. He went at seven runs an over in his four overs.
Tuskers' Mbulelo Budaza was the most successful bowler in the match with three wickets for 41 runs in four overs.
WESTERN PROVINCE: Tony de Zorzi, Eddie Moore, Jonathan Bird, Kyle Verreynne (c), Valentine Kitime, George Linde, Juan James, Wayne Parnell, Kyle Simmonds, Beuran Hendricks.
TUSKERS: Michael Erlank (c), Cameron Delport, Kagiso Rapulana, Tian Koekemoer, Cameron Shekleton, Mbulelo Budaza, Malcolm Nofal, Keith Dudgeon, Ntando Zuma, Alindile Mhletywa, Smangaliso Nhlebela