De Villiers shines on debut as Warriors down Lions

The Dafabet Warriors improved their chances of securing a playoff slot with a 33-run (DLS) victory over the DP World Lions in their CSA One-Day Challenge encounter at Dafabet St George's Park on Sunday.

Bjorn Fortuin, the Lions' captain, called correctly at the toss and elected to bat first. Connor Esterhuizen and Mitchell van Buuren put on a good show to steer the visitors to 279/5 in 50 overs. The hosts could only bat for 22.2 overs, but did enough to secure victory. They galloped to 124/1 before rain curtailed proceedings. The showers were unceasing, however, the hosts had done enough to clinch the tie.

Jordan Hermann took off like a house on fire. The opener was particularly severe on Codi Yusuf, who struggled to pin down a line and length that could trouble him. Hermann scored an impressive 40 off 33 deliveries to give the Warriors the advantage.

The home side reached 50 runs in under six overs. By comparison, the Lions required almost 13 overs to get there. The left-hander was undone for a well-played 40 off 33 balls.

Hermann's start allowed Matthew de Villiers to calm his nerves and settle into a rhythm. De Villiers was making his List A debut. The 23-year-old looked like a seasoned professional once he got going. He was on the cusp of a maiden half-century when the heavens opened up. De Villiers was unbeaten on 49 off 60 deliveries.

De Villiers was in the company of Matthew Breetzke (30*) at the time of the interruption. They had shared an unbroken 60-run second-wicket partnership. Earlier in the innings, De Villiers was part of a 64-run opening stand with Hermann.

Connor Esterhuizen and Mitchell van Buuren experienced deja vu. On 23 February, they scored half-centuries in a losing cause against the NWU Dragons. The same happened against the Warriors. While their twin half-centuries steered the visitors to respectability, they were not enough to secure victory.

Esterhuizen arrived at the crease after 23.2 overs. The Lions were on 107/3 and needed someone to play an outstanding knock and bat through the innings. The 23-year-old did so with a wonderful unbeaten 87 off 80 balls. This is Esterhuizen's new career-best List A score. His previous best was 59 runs.

The half-century is Esterhuizen's third in List A cricket and second of the season. He faced 60 deliveries to reach the milestone. He cantered to his new highest 50-over score in the company of Delano Potgieter (22*), with whom he shared an unbroken 53-run sixth-wicket partnership.

Mitchell van Buuren scored a well-played 56 off 69 deliveries. This is his third half-century this season. He clubbed 50 and 54 runs against the NWU Dragons and the Knights. This is also his 12th List A half-ton. His innings ended after he failed to make clean contact with a slower-ball bouncer from Alfred Mothoa.

Van Buuren was part of two consecutive partnerships that reset the Lions' radar by adding a combined 113 runs to the total. The first one was a 56-run third-wicket stand he shared with Zubayr Hamza. The Lions' experienced duo of Hamza (39) and Hendricks (25) got starts but couldn't convert them to big figures.

The Warriors were successful thanks to the good start with the ball they got from Beyers Swanepoel and CJ King. The pair saw to it that the Lions did not have a quick start. Their effort was complemented by Patrick Kruger and Alfred Mothoa, who also did a good job at keeping a lid on things.

Patrick Kruger was the pick of the bowlers for the Warriors with two wickets for 38 runs in nine overs. Beyers Swanepoel, Alfred Mothoa, and Jason Raubenheimer contributed with a wicket each.

WARRIORS: Jordan Hermann, Matthew de Villiers, Matthew Breetzke, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Senuran Muthusamy (capt), Patrick Kruger, Andile Mogakane, Beyers Swanepoel, CJ King, Jason Raubenheimer, Alfred Mothoa.

LIONS: Reeza Hendricks, Wandile Makwetu, Zubayr Hamza, Mitchell Van Buuren, Connor Esterhuisen (wk), Richard Seletswane, Delano Potgieter, Evan Jones, Bjorn Fortuin (capt), Codi Yusuf, Nqaba Peter.