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The Knights, who had been sent into bat first, posted a
massive 206 for five thanks to an undefeated maiden century from Williamson.
The right handed centurion faced just 49 balls for his 101 not out which
included eight boundaries and five maximums. The Cobras, in reply, were 44 for
two after 7.2 overs when the umpires took the players from the field.
Williamson and Anton Devcich created the perfect platform for the New Zealanders with an opening stand of 140 in just 13.4 overs but were helped with some inept bowling and fielding from the men from the Western Cape. Williamson and Devcich both survived run out chances and near catches but rode their luck and profited from it. Devcich was the first wicket to fall in the 14th over when Robin Peterson, coming in from point, threw down the stumps at the ‘keepers end with a direct throw.
Devcich faced 46 deliveries for his 67 and struck eight boundaries and one six in his innings. Daniel Flynn lasted just two balls before being caught by Justin Ontong off the bowling Vernon Philander (2-39) without scoring. Scott Styris and Daryl Mitchell were both dismissed first ball but BJ Wattling (32 off 20) entertained the crowd with Williamson as the pair added 51 runs in 4.3 overs for the third wicket.
Veteran seamer Charl Langeveldt brought his experience to the fore with credible figures under the circumstances, claiming 2-27 in his four overs while the rest of the bowling unit were put to the sword. It must be said that the South African side were missing Dale Steyn (rested) and Beuran Hendricks (injured) as well as experienced campaigner, JP Duminy (also injured).
The Cobras began their chase in disastrous fashion when Stiaan van Zyl, who celebrated his 27th birthday on match day, was castled by Trent Boult (1-8) with his first ball. Robin Peterson (17 not out) and Hashim Amla (20) added 38 for the second wicket before the South African test captain holed out to the substitute fielder on the square-leg boundary from the bowling of the young right-arm seamer, Scott Kuggeleijn (1-11).
Amla had just started to find his rhythm with two consecutive boundaries before finding Wilson on the boundary. The rain started to fall at the start of the seventh over and the umpires, Anil Chaudhary and Kumar Dharmasena, decided to take the players off the field eight balls later.
The victory is the Knights’ fourth consecutive win in Raipur, after they won all three of their qualifying matches and now have four points in Group B. The Cobras, meanwhile, will need to shake off their rustiness and look to bounce back on Sunday when they face off against Hobart Hurricanes. The Knights’ next outing is on Tuesday, also against the Hurricanes.
Teams:
Cape Cobras: S van Zyl, HM Amla, OA Ramela, JL Ontong (capt), DJ Vilas (wk), JM Kemp, VD Philander, RJ Peterson, RK Kleinveldt, A Mgijima, CK Langeveldt
Northern Districts: AP Devcich, KS Williamson, DR Flynn (capt), BJ Watling (wk), DJ Mitchell, SB Styris, MJ Santner, SC Kuggeleijn, TG Southee, IS Sodhi, TA Boult
