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Cape Town - The Cobras new-ball pair of Charl Langeveldt and Rory Kleinveldt suffocated the Warriors top-order batsman to pave the way for their side's comfortable 52-run win in their MTN40 day/night (40-over match) clash at Newlands, Cape Town, on Friday.
After winning the toss the Cobras scored 207 after 39.3 overs to which the Warriors replied with a miserable 155/9 after 40 overs. Langeveldt and Kleinveldt dried up the runs as the Warriors set about their chase and as a result their total stood at 32/2 after 10 overs.
Speedster Langeveldt was the most impressive as he claimed two sticks for only 13 runs in a five-over spell which included a maiden.
Change bowlers Neil Carter, Vernon Philander, Robin Peterson all continued to apply the pressure and by the time the Warriors reached 20 overs they were still not able to score beyond the four-runs-an-over mark as reflected by their 65/4 score at that stage.
Of this quartet, Peterson (3/29) was the most successful and his three-wicket haul broke the back of the Warriors' batting. But when Langeveldt returned for his second spell he was even more destructive, taking two wickets in the space of four balls which left the Warriors in utter disarray at 115/8 in the 33rd over.
He was deservedly named 'Man-of-the-Match' and finished with the exceptional figures of 5/17 after 8 overs, which included two maidens.
Earlier, Cobras openers Andrew Puttick (69) and Stiaan van Zyl (47) saw their side to a solid start with a 109-run partnership which was attained at a run-rate of six runs to the over.
Once Van Zyl departed the Cobras tried to kick on in an attempt to up the rate but they lost their way and seven batsman failed to reach double figures.
However, captain Justin Kemp (38) and Richard Levi (19) were the exceptions and in the end the Cobras posted a competitive 207 although they failed to use up their full 40 overs when they were dismissed three balls into the final over.
Warriors spinner Johan Botha (3/29) was the pick of his side's attack. It is very likely that when the league stage of the MTN competition is completed that these two sides will meet in one of the semifinals in Paarl in a fortnight's time.
However, both sides will be considerably strengthened as all the national team players will be available for duty.
