The Mzansi Super League (MSL) franchise, Jozi Stars’ showed a combined bowling effort to clinch the title in the inaugural edition of the tournament as they defeated Town Blitz by eight wickets at PPC Newlands on Sunday (December 16).
With the help of the brilliant fast bowling trio comprising of Kagiso Rabada (1/16), Duanne Olivier (2/32) and Beuran Hendricks (2/21), Stars completely outplayed the Blitz batting line-up by restricting them to 113 for 7 on a sluggish pitch in Cape Town. Dan Christian (1/11) and Simon Harmer (0/14) also excelled, before Rassie van der Dussen – the leading batsman in the competition – played an unbeaten knock of 54-ball 55 with the help of eight fours and a six, to fittingly lead his side to victory with 15 deliveries to spare.
Opting to bat, none of Blitz’s batsmen had a decent start, but with the dismissal of the in-form Quinton de Kock, they failed to make a comeback in the game. Dawid Malan (17) and Kyle Verreynne (23) showed some resistance but failed to bring the much-required momentum into the innings. Pakistani duo Mohammad Nawaz (3) and Asif Ali (4) perished in no time as the home team was reduced to 48 for 4.
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Skipper Farhaan Behardien (23), Ferisco Adams (12*) and Dale Steyn (15*) chipped in with decent cameos at the end to lead their side past the three-figure mark.
In reply, Ryan Rickelton (6) came back to the pavilion over quite early before an 86-run stand between Reeza Hendricks and Van der Dussen took the game away from the visitors. The two played smartly and kept the scoreboard ticking before Hendricks fell to Malusi Siboto for 41-ball 33.
However, Van der Dussen got the stars over the line as captain Dane Vilas sealed the deal with a boundary. Van der Dussen and Olivier added to the Stars triumph by being named leading batsman and bowler of the tournament respectively. Gihahn Cloete of the Tshwane Spartans was named the best fielder while the MVP award went to the Blitz’s Quinton de Kock.
