Having made a fresh start under the leadership of former Limpopo Impalas captain, Ruan Haasbroek, expectations for the Heat were high, but it was not meant to be.
LAST weekend, the Northern Cape Heat cricket team got a taste of what the Springboks felt like down in Argentina, when they too suffered an agonisingly close defeat, falling short by just one run to the Eastern Storm in the opening match of the much-anticipated Division 2 T20 Knockout tournament at the Kimberley Diamond Oval.
Having made a fresh start under the leadership of former Limpopo Impalas captain, Ruan Haasbroek, expectations for the Heat were high. Haasbroek, who led the Impalas to victory in last year’s competition, has brought his winning mindset and tactical expertise to the Heat, aiming to carry the team to triumph this season.
“It’s a massive privilege,” Haasbroek said ahead of the tournament. “The Heat have a history of winning big trophies and a strong winning culture, which is exciting. To lead a team like that in such a special union is an honour. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The match against the Eastern Storm saw the Heat win the toss and elect to bowl first. The Storm’s leading batsmen, Christopher Britz (82) and skipper Grant Thompson (56), rose to the occasion, propelling their side to a competitive total of 171/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Heat’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Basheer Walters (2/37) and Hardus Viljoen (2/25), delivered commendable performances. Their efforts helped restrict the Storm’s scoring but fell just short of containing the dangerous batting line-up.
The Northern Cape’s chase began with promise, as Ernest Kemm opened the innings with a well-played 39 runs off 29 balls. However, a devastating runout saw Jonathan Vandiar dismissed for a duck, a setback that hurt their momentum. Despite this, Modiri Litheko stepped up, playing a brilliant knock of 79 runs off 52 deliveries, while CP Klijnhans contributed a vital 24 not out, giving the Heat hope as the pressure mounted in the final overs.
As the target loomed within reach, the Heat needed just one more run to force a tie and take the game to a super over. Unfortunately, they fell agonisingly short, closing their innings just one run behind the Storm’s total, ending on 170/6. It was a crushing blow for the team, who had fought valiantly throughout the match.
Though the result was a bitter pill to swallow, the Heat showed resilience and determination in their opening game, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead. Haasbroek’s leadership and the team’s fighting spirit will be crucial as they look to bounce back in their next fixture.
As the tournament progresses, the Heat will aim to turn this near-miss into fuel for future success, with hopes still high for a deep run in the competition.
