Jansen cameo boosts top-of-the-table Dragons

A late Duan Jansen cameo helped the top-of-the-table North West Dragons rally late on to secure a thrilling last-ball three-wicket CSA One-Day Cup win over the ITEC Knights at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Monday.

The visiting fast bowler struck two fours, including one off the final delivery, in his unbeaten 22 off 16 balls to ensure his side chased down a testing 280 on their way to a third win of the season.

Prior to Jansen’s innings, the home side looked to have done enough to put themselves on course to triumph after Jacques Snyman’s 3-42 appeared to leave the Dragons’ lower order with too much to do at 239 for six in the 46th over.

But with 12 runs to defend in the final over, the wayward Alfred Mothoa (2-72) bowled two wides in his first three balls either side of a boundary, before Jansen sent the final delivery to the ropes to claim a memorable win.

Before that, the away side had Lesego Senokwane (65 off 73 balls, 9 fours), Shaylin Pillay (52 off 70 balls, 3 fours) and Delano Potgieter (54 off 41 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) to thank for putting them on par for the win.

In the end, it was Jansen that finished the job, with good support from Khanya Cotani (18).

Opener Senokwane provided them with the solid start they required at the start of the reply, putting on 114 with Wesley Marshall (41) for the opening wicket.

Both were removed by Snyman, who also accounted for Senuran Muthusamy (6), leaving the Dragons in some trouble by the end of the 31st over when they slipped to 138 for four.

But Pillay and Potgieter put on 95 for the fifth wicket to put their side within touching distance of the win, before the late twist.

However, Jansen stood tall when it counted most, taking his side over the line in the end.

Earlier in the day, home skipper Pite van Biljon struck 65 off 64 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes) after losing the toss and being asked to bat first, with his innings holding the Knights’ batting together.

His 50 came after openers Matthew Kleinveldt (40) and Snyman (45) had provided the home side with a solid start with 90 for the first wicket in just over 15 overs.

There was also a handy sixth List A half-century from Raynard van Tonder, who made 51 off 65 balls (1 four, 2 sixes), with some lusty late hitting by Gerald Coetzee (27 not out off 17 balls) eventually lifting the Free Staters to 279 for seven.

Seamer Nono Pongolo ended as the pick of the bowlers with 3-52.

ITEC KNIGHTS: Matthew Kleinveldt, Jacques Snyman, Raynard van Tonder, Rilee Rossouw, Pite van Biljon (capt), Romano Terblanche, Mangaliso Mosehle (wk), Gerald Coetzee, Jason Raubenheimer, Alfred Mothoa, Mbulelo Budaza.

NORTH WEST DRAGONS: Lesego Senokwane, Wesley Marshall, Shaylen Pillay, Christopher Britz, Senuran Muthusamy, Delano Potgieter, Khanya Cotani (wk), Duan Jansen, Nono Pongolo (capt), Eldred Hawken, Caleb Seleka.