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Eddie Moore scored an unbeaten half-century to help World Sports Betting Western Province to an important four-wicket CSA T20 Challenge victory over DP World Lions at DP World Wanderers in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.
Moore’s unbeaten 87 helped Province reach 146 for six with three balls to spare after the Lions, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were restricted to 145 for seven thanks to a disciplined bowling performance by the visitors.
The opening left-handed batsman had to endure a torrid opening phase as the Lions reduced the visitors to 2-2 as Codi Yusuf (4-0-40-1) had Jonathan Bird caught at short fine leg by Delano Potgieter without scoring and then Kwena Maphaka (3.3-0-28-1) had Valentine Kitime edging to Wandile Makwetu behind the stumps, also without troubling the scorers.
However, Moore, who struck five boundaries and five maximums, started to settle things down with a valuable 49-run stand for the third wicket with Daniel Smith (18) form just 28 balls. Smith, who struck four boundaries from just nine balls, was looking ominous before chopping a delivery from Potgieter (3-0-4-2) onto his stumps.
The fall of Smith’s wicket brought another as Mihlali Mpongwana was needlessly run out at the non-striker’s end for just a single to reduce the men from Cape Town to 53 for four. Nerves started to tingle widely in the visitors dugout when George Linde was brilliantly caught – one-handed – by Bjorn Fortuin at mid-off.
All through the turmoil, Moore stood tall, calm and calculated during his 62-ball innings and received excellent support from Abdallah Bayoumy (18). Moore, who was dropped on 13 by Evan Jones at mid-off from the bowling of Codi with the score on 21 for two, used his chance to perfection, guiding his side to just their second win in six starts, but more importantly, giving them an outside chance of still making the Eliminator.
Earlier, the Lions made a strong start, with Makwetu (41) and Rassie van der Dussen (43) adding 57 from 41 balls for the second wicket, however the Province seamers and spinners though stuck to their tasks.
The hosts lost the early wicket of Reeza Hendricks for just six, being trapped in front by Mpongwana (4-0-29-1). However, Makwetu and Van der Dussen took control of the innings and look set to put the hosts on target for 180-plus.
Makwetu looked strong through the offside, striking three boundaries and three sixes from just 25 deliveries. Van der Dussen, who was given a life by Kyle Simmonds in the slips when on one, used his international experience well, matching Makwetu in finding the fence but coming from 33 balls.
Although Makwetu was strong through the offside, it would prove his downfall as he slapped Mthiwekhaya Nabe (3-0-24-2) straight to Beuran Hendricks at mid-off. So too, would Van der Dussen’s strength on the legside prove his downfall, pulling a slow, short-pitched ball from Nabe straight down Moore’s throat at deep square-leg.
Once Van der Dussen departed, it was a struggle for the home side’s batting lineup. Connor Esterhuizen (8) edged Wesley Bedja (4-0-33-1) to Smith behind the stumps while Mitchell van Buuren was castled by Linde (3-0-16-1) for just four.
Potgieter (16) struck two boundaries but found Abdullah Bayoumy at extra cover from the bowling of Hendricks (4-0-27-1) before Evan Jones was cruelly run out by Mpongwana at the non-strilker’s end in the final over for 10.
The Lions remain second on the log, one point behind log-leaders Auto Investments North West Dragons, whom they face in the final match on Saturday in Potchefstroom to decide who ends top. Western Province, who move to 11 points, travel back to Cape Town to host the Knights, who are on eight points and effectively out of the running.
*As published on Supersport.com
