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Johannesburg - Friday night’s Momentum One-Day Cup derby between the Highveld Lions and the Titans at the Wanderers Stadium served up two centuries, but there was only one name on everybody’s lips by the end of the night.
The Highveld Lions, thanks to a scintillating 115 off just 83 balls from Quinton de Kock, romped home by seven wickets with 13.1 overs to spare, as they hunted down the Titans' total of 255 all out.
De Kock, still not yet 20, rattled up 12 boundaries and four towering sixes, clubbing the Titans to all parts in an innings that confirmed his massive potential.
The Titans had Farhaan Behardien’s maiden limited overs ton to thank for reaching 250, after they had slumped to 50 for four after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Chris Morris had struck twice early to remove openers Henry Davids and Heino Kuhn, both snaffled in the slips, before Hardus Viljoen and Pumelela Matshikwe grabbed a scalp apiece.
Behardien found a willing ally in Albie Morkel (54 off 71 balls), and they added a crucial 89 for the fifth wicket, with Morkel the more dominant partner, clubbing seven fours and a six. Once Morkel was run out, Behardien hit the accelerator, reaching his ton off 112 balls, to lift the Titans to a competitive total.
Morris, with four for 33 in nine classy overs, was the pick of the bowlers, while Aaron Phangiso again contributed, with one for 38 in ten overs.
In reply, the Highveld Lions blazed 40 off the first five overs, with Gulam Bodi (54 off 59 balls) looking in ominous form. Stephen Cook, the Lions’ banker this season, fell for 22, trapped on the crease by Paul Harris.
Bodi strode to 50 off 55 balls, but he was then nabbed behind off Rowan Richards, as the bizhub Highveld Lions reached 106 for two.
Enter De Kock, and the start of a sparkling display of ball-striking. Veteran Neil McKenzie (47 not out off 54 balls) was more than happy to play the support role, as De Kock unfurled his full array of strokes. He scorched to fifty off 47 balls, but required just 24 more to reach the magical three figures. His footwork and near disdain for the bowlers was a sight to behold, and like all classy players, he looked like he had all the time in the world to play his shots.
By the time he left the stage, he and McKenzie had added 145 for the third wicket, but more than that, the precocious leftie had played one of the most memorable domestic limited overs knocks in recent years.
The bonus point victory allowed the Highveld Lions to stretch their lead atop the Momentum One-Day Cup standings and, based on their imperious display with bat and ball, Geoff Toyana’s charges will take some stopping in this competition.
Teams:
Highveld Lions:
Stephen Cook (captain), Gulam Bodi, Quinton de Kock, Neil McKenzie, Temba Bavuma, Zander de Bruyn, Jean Symes, Chris Morris, Aaron Phangiso, Hardus Viljoen, Pumelela Matshikwe
Titans:
Henry Davids, Heino Kuhn (wk), Mangaliso Mosehle, Martin van Jaarsveld, Farhaan Behardien, Albie Morkel, David Wiese, Roelof van der Merwe, CJ de Villiers, Paul Harris, Rowan Richards
The Highveld Lions, thanks to a scintillating 115 off just 83 balls from Quinton de Kock, romped home by seven wickets with 13.1 overs to spare, as they hunted down the Titans' total of 255 all out.
De Kock, still not yet 20, rattled up 12 boundaries and four towering sixes, clubbing the Titans to all parts in an innings that confirmed his massive potential.
The Titans had Farhaan Behardien’s maiden limited overs ton to thank for reaching 250, after they had slumped to 50 for four after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Chris Morris had struck twice early to remove openers Henry Davids and Heino Kuhn, both snaffled in the slips, before Hardus Viljoen and Pumelela Matshikwe grabbed a scalp apiece.
Behardien found a willing ally in Albie Morkel (54 off 71 balls), and they added a crucial 89 for the fifth wicket, with Morkel the more dominant partner, clubbing seven fours and a six. Once Morkel was run out, Behardien hit the accelerator, reaching his ton off 112 balls, to lift the Titans to a competitive total.
Morris, with four for 33 in nine classy overs, was the pick of the bowlers, while Aaron Phangiso again contributed, with one for 38 in ten overs.
In reply, the Highveld Lions blazed 40 off the first five overs, with Gulam Bodi (54 off 59 balls) looking in ominous form. Stephen Cook, the Lions’ banker this season, fell for 22, trapped on the crease by Paul Harris.
Bodi strode to 50 off 55 balls, but he was then nabbed behind off Rowan Richards, as the bizhub Highveld Lions reached 106 for two.
Enter De Kock, and the start of a sparkling display of ball-striking. Veteran Neil McKenzie (47 not out off 54 balls) was more than happy to play the support role, as De Kock unfurled his full array of strokes. He scorched to fifty off 47 balls, but required just 24 more to reach the magical three figures. His footwork and near disdain for the bowlers was a sight to behold, and like all classy players, he looked like he had all the time in the world to play his shots.
By the time he left the stage, he and McKenzie had added 145 for the third wicket, but more than that, the precocious leftie had played one of the most memorable domestic limited overs knocks in recent years.
The bonus point victory allowed the Highveld Lions to stretch their lead atop the Momentum One-Day Cup standings and, based on their imperious display with bat and ball, Geoff Toyana’s charges will take some stopping in this competition.
Teams:
Highveld Lions:
Stephen Cook (captain), Gulam Bodi, Quinton de Kock, Neil McKenzie, Temba Bavuma, Zander de Bruyn, Jean Symes, Chris Morris, Aaron Phangiso, Hardus Viljoen, Pumelela Matshikwe
Titans:
Henry Davids, Heino Kuhn (wk), Mangaliso Mosehle, Martin van Jaarsveld, Farhaan Behardien, Albie Morkel, David Wiese, Roelof van der Merwe, CJ de Villiers, Paul Harris, Rowan Richards
