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Rilee Rossouw (Gallo Images)
Kimberley - Rilee Rossouw’s composed 65 not out was the glue that held the Knights' innings together as they beat a gallant Titans by three wickets at De Beers Diamond Oval here on Friday.
Chasing 187 to win, the Knights lost regular wickets but still managed to secure a bonus point as they wrapped up their win with nearly 20 overs to spare.
Having inserted the Titans, the Knights had man of the match Malusi Siboto to thank, as his career-best 5-38 broke the back of the strong Titans batting line-up. The rot started early for the visitors, as Henry Davids was bowled by Johan van der Wath in just the second over. Skipper Martin van Jaarsveld and Jacques Rudolph then added 58 for the second wicket, before the former became Siboto’s first wicket.
Rudolph was desperately unlucky to be run out at the bowlers end in the next over, as Victor Mpitsang got a touch onto AB de Villiers’s drive, and the Titans were suddenly wobbling at 62 for 3.
De Villiers (26) was caught behind off Siboto in the 20th over, to leave the Titans on 97 for 4. Faf du Plessis (40) and Farhaan Behardien (21) then combined to add 46 for the fifth wicket, but their stand was broken by off-spinner Werner Coetsee, who had Behardien caught by Michael Erlank.
It was free fall from there for the Titans, as they lost their last six wickets for just 43 runs. Siboto bowled Du Plessis, David Wiese and last man Rowan Richards, while Van der Wath returned to grab his second wicket to end with figures of 2 for 30.
The Knights’ s chase started well enough, as skipper Morne van Wyk and Michael Erlank blitzed 37 in the first seven overs before Van Wyk was bowled by Ethy Mbhalathi. Erlank didn’t last much longer, as the clean shaven Mbhalathi had him snapped up by Van Jaarsveld to leave the Knights 50 for two.
When Dean Elgar was ousted by Rowan Richards, the Knights were in danger of folding much like the Titans had earlier. But Rossouw, driving and cutting crisply, added 48 with the powerful Obus Pienaar (22), and then 47 with Werner Coetsee to get the home side close to the line.
The late loss of Van der Wath (5) and Swanepoel again threatened to derail the Knights, but Rossouw stood firm on the other end and fittingly sealed the hard-fought win in the 32nd over for the Knights.
Teams:
Knights - Morné van Wyk (captain) , Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Dean Elgar, Obus Pienaar, Werner Coetsee, Michael Erlank, Aubrey Swanepoel, Dillon du Preez, Johann van der Wath, Victor Mpitsang.
Titans - Henry Davids, Jacques Rudolph, Martin van Jaarsveld (capt) , Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (wk), Farhaan Behardien, David Wiese, Roelof van der Merwe, Marchant de Lange, Rowan Richards, Ethy
Chasing 187 to win, the Knights lost regular wickets but still managed to secure a bonus point as they wrapped up their win with nearly 20 overs to spare.
Having inserted the Titans, the Knights had man of the match Malusi Siboto to thank, as his career-best 5-38 broke the back of the strong Titans batting line-up. The rot started early for the visitors, as Henry Davids was bowled by Johan van der Wath in just the second over. Skipper Martin van Jaarsveld and Jacques Rudolph then added 58 for the second wicket, before the former became Siboto’s first wicket.
Rudolph was desperately unlucky to be run out at the bowlers end in the next over, as Victor Mpitsang got a touch onto AB de Villiers’s drive, and the Titans were suddenly wobbling at 62 for 3.
De Villiers (26) was caught behind off Siboto in the 20th over, to leave the Titans on 97 for 4. Faf du Plessis (40) and Farhaan Behardien (21) then combined to add 46 for the fifth wicket, but their stand was broken by off-spinner Werner Coetsee, who had Behardien caught by Michael Erlank.
It was free fall from there for the Titans, as they lost their last six wickets for just 43 runs. Siboto bowled Du Plessis, David Wiese and last man Rowan Richards, while Van der Wath returned to grab his second wicket to end with figures of 2 for 30.
The Knights’ s chase started well enough, as skipper Morne van Wyk and Michael Erlank blitzed 37 in the first seven overs before Van Wyk was bowled by Ethy Mbhalathi. Erlank didn’t last much longer, as the clean shaven Mbhalathi had him snapped up by Van Jaarsveld to leave the Knights 50 for two.
When Dean Elgar was ousted by Rowan Richards, the Knights were in danger of folding much like the Titans had earlier. But Rossouw, driving and cutting crisply, added 48 with the powerful Obus Pienaar (22), and then 47 with Werner Coetsee to get the home side close to the line.
The late loss of Van der Wath (5) and Swanepoel again threatened to derail the Knights, but Rossouw stood firm on the other end and fittingly sealed the hard-fought win in the 32nd over for the Knights.
Teams:
Knights - Morné van Wyk (captain) , Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Dean Elgar, Obus Pienaar, Werner Coetsee, Michael Erlank, Aubrey Swanepoel, Dillon du Preez, Johann van der Wath, Victor Mpitsang.
Titans - Henry Davids, Jacques Rudolph, Martin van Jaarsveld (capt) , Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (wk), Farhaan Behardien, David Wiese, Roelof van der Merwe, Marchant de Lange, Rowan Richards, Ethy
