Kimberley - The Knights drew level with the Highveld Lions at the top of the One Day Cup log when they scored an easy bonus point win by 91 runs over the Warriors at the De Beers Diamond Oval on Sunday.
The Knights batted well all down the order to set up a huge target of 326. Ryan Bailey went in the first over, but Reeza Hendricks, Dean Elgar and Rilee Rossouw all contributed half-centuries. Ryan McLaren added the impetus towards the end with 47, and there were also brief cameos from veterans Nicky Boje and Johan van der Wath with a good mixture of the innovative and the conventional shots.
All of the Warriors bowlers came in for their fair share of punishment, and the innings progressed at around six to the over throughout. Adrian Birch and Basheer Walters each took three wickets but went for six to the over and more while Wayne Parnell also took two for plenty. Old warhorse Makhaya Ntini was only given a single spell of four overs after not impressing with the new ball.
The Warriors were up against it from the start. The Kimberley crowd was treated to the rare sight of brothers opening the batting, but Kelly Smuts was unable to see out the opening over with Jon-Jon, who did not last much longer himself. Ashwell Prince made just eleven before playing across the line, and at 54 for three the Warriors were in early trouble.
Colin Ingram and Davy Jacobs put the visitors back on course with a solid partnership of 78 in 15 overs. Ingram was particularly severe on Van der Wath, at one stage hitting him for four boundaries in the space of eight deliveries.
However, scoreboard pressure kept mounting, with the required rate moving beyond seven. As well as the pair played, they were unable to claw it back to a more acceptable rate. The old man of the team, Nicky Boje who had in fact spent the last few seasons in Warriors colours, came in for some harsh treatment, but broke the partnership when he had Ingram caught in the deep for 70 (79 balls, 6 fours 3 sixes).
Jacobs did not linger much longer, going for 58 (66 balls, 7 fours 1 six) in the 34th over. McLaren had to come in quickly from the boundary on a day where he could do no wrong. Although Parnell hit some lusty blows in compiling a quick 39, the target was always out of reach. Even Simon Harmer’s good fortune of being given a reprieve after being bowled off a no-ball could not turn the game in the Warriors favour.
McLaren cleaned up the tail to finish with a career best return of five for 38. Coupled to his innings of 47, there was no real competition for the man-of-the-match award.
The Knights batted well all down the order to set up a huge target of 326. Ryan Bailey went in the first over, but Reeza Hendricks, Dean Elgar and Rilee Rossouw all contributed half-centuries. Ryan McLaren added the impetus towards the end with 47, and there were also brief cameos from veterans Nicky Boje and Johan van der Wath with a good mixture of the innovative and the conventional shots.
All of the Warriors bowlers came in for their fair share of punishment, and the innings progressed at around six to the over throughout. Adrian Birch and Basheer Walters each took three wickets but went for six to the over and more while Wayne Parnell also took two for plenty. Old warhorse Makhaya Ntini was only given a single spell of four overs after not impressing with the new ball.
The Warriors were up against it from the start. The Kimberley crowd was treated to the rare sight of brothers opening the batting, but Kelly Smuts was unable to see out the opening over with Jon-Jon, who did not last much longer himself. Ashwell Prince made just eleven before playing across the line, and at 54 for three the Warriors were in early trouble.
Colin Ingram and Davy Jacobs put the visitors back on course with a solid partnership of 78 in 15 overs. Ingram was particularly severe on Van der Wath, at one stage hitting him for four boundaries in the space of eight deliveries.
However, scoreboard pressure kept mounting, with the required rate moving beyond seven. As well as the pair played, they were unable to claw it back to a more acceptable rate. The old man of the team, Nicky Boje who had in fact spent the last few seasons in Warriors colours, came in for some harsh treatment, but broke the partnership when he had Ingram caught in the deep for 70 (79 balls, 6 fours 3 sixes).
Jacobs did not linger much longer, going for 58 (66 balls, 7 fours 1 six) in the 34th over. McLaren had to come in quickly from the boundary on a day where he could do no wrong. Although Parnell hit some lusty blows in compiling a quick 39, the target was always out of reach. Even Simon Harmer’s good fortune of being given a reprieve after being bowled off a no-ball could not turn the game in the Warriors favour.
McLaren cleaned up the tail to finish with a career best return of five for 38. Coupled to his innings of 47, there was no real competition for the man-of-the-match award.