The Northern Cape Heat team got their one day campaign off to a solid start with a convincing win over the visiting Eastern Storm on Friday.
FRESH off the conquest of the 4-Day Domestic Series title, the NC Heat kept their foot down on Friday when they beat the visiting Eastern Storm by four wickets in the CSA One Day Cup match played at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.
Eastern Storm had earlier won the toss and opted to bat. They then set about reeling in the runs and managed to set the hosts a decent 263/7 in their 50 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 153 from Grant Thompson from just 152 balls (13x4s, 5x6s).
The only other Storm batsman to really trouble the scorers was Wesley Coulentianos with his 45 off 68 deliveries. None of the other batsmen got into their 20s.
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In response the NC Heat’s opener Victor Mahlangu managed a careful 13 runs off 32 deliveries which included two boundaries. Opening partner Ernest Kemm was more aggressive and bludgeoned 27 off 29 balls.
Isaac Dikgale, at No.3 stepped up and set about blocking away at the Eastern Storm deliveries but steadily built up runs, eventually making a solid 55 off 83 deliveries.
Round 4️⃣ of the #1DayCup provided us with even more thrills 🔥👀#BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/NEVWgTQjJx
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 19, 2022
The hosts never allowed the game to get away from them and kept their run rate ticking along at a steady rate.
There was a slight wobble when Jonathan Vandiar (12) and Rivaldo Moonsamy (2) were sent back to the dressing room in short order.
However, the lanky slugger Evan Jones stepped up to the crease much to the delight of the crowd, aware that the Pretorianer knows how to wield his bat. Evans is a known ‘window smasher’ frequently hitting balls off the park.
Indeed he did not disappoint as he whacked his first delivery to the stands on the north end. He soon racked up three more sixes and a boundary to demoralise the visitors with a brisk 35 runs off 24 balls.
It didn’t end there, however. The Heat turned up the temperature even more when Hanu Viljoen (67* off 69) and Beyers Swanepoel (41* off 29) knocked the final nails in the Storm’s coffin at a rapid rate to cruise to their four-wicket win.
Clayton August (2/40) and Tumelo Simelane (2/55) were the pick of the visiting bowling attack, while Beyers Swanepoel (2/30), Ernest Kemm (2/36) and Andrew Rasemene (2/46) did the damage for the NC Heat.
Grant Thomson was named Player of the Match in recognition of his unbeaten 153.
