Disciplined WP restrict Lions

A well-disciplined bowling display from World Sports Betting Western Province restricted the DP World Lions to 145-7 in a crucial CSA T20 Challenge match at DP World Wanderers in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.

Despite a strong start from the home side, where Wandile Makwetu (41 and Rassie van der Dussen (43) added 57 from 41 balls for the second wicket, the Province seamers and spinners stuck to their tasks after Bjorn Fortuin had won the toss and elected to take first strike.

The hosts lost the early wicket of Reeza Hendricks for just six, being trapped in front by Mihlali 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 a score of 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 with his score 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 to be his downfall, as he pulled a slow, short-pitched ball from Nabe straight down Eddie Moore’s throat at deep square-leg.

Once Van der Dussen departed, it was a struggle for the home side’s batting line-up. Connor Esterhuizen (8) edged Wesley Bedja (4-0-33-1) to Daniel Smith behind the stumps while Mitchell van Buuren was castled by George Linde (3-0-16-1) for just four.

Delano 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-striker’s end in the final over for 10.

The Lions will be desperate to defend 145 to go top of the log with one round of matches remaining while the visitors are just as keen for a victory to try and hunt down fourth spot on the log and a spot in the Eliminator.

DP WORLD LIONS – Reeza Hendricks, Wandile Makwetu (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Bjorn Fortuin (capt), Codi Yusuf, Connor Esterhuizen, Delano Potgieter, Evan Jones, Kwena Maphaka, Mitchell van Buuren, Nqaba Peter.

WORLD SPORTS BETTEING WESTERN PROVINCE – Abdullah Bayoumy, Beuran Hendricks (capt), Daniel Smith (wk), Eddie Moore, George Linde, Jonathan Bird, Kyle Simmonds, Mihlali Mpongwana, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Valentine Kitime, Wesley Bedja.