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DSG ROOKIE PARSONS CONTINUES TO SHINE IN DOMESTIC T20 CHALLENGE
The CSA T20 Challenge continued during the week with Bryce Parsons the headline act of the participating Betway SA20 players.
Parsons, the Durban’s Super Giants rookie, continued his fine form in Dolphins colours on Wednesday by smashing his first T20 century. The Durbanites were put in to bat by the Titans and were 29/1 at Centurion when inclement weather forced a long delay and ultimately reduced the match to 14 overs a side.
Once the heavens cleared, Parsons and Jon-Jon Smuts combined for an unbroken 156-run partnership as the visitors posted a competitive total of 184 runs for the Titans to chase.
Parsons powered to an unbeaten 102* off 48 deliveries (8 fours and 7 sixes) while Smuts scored 61* off 33 (8 fours and 2 sixes).
The experienced Jon-Jon Smuts was the steady support act as Parsons compiled his first T20 century.
The Titans would need similar efforts from their batters but the formidable Dolphins' bowling unit consistently picked up wickets. David Wiese, making his return to South African domestic cricket, was the top-scorer of their eight SA20 players with 30 off 13 but it was not enough. Ultimately, the Titans could only muster 152/5 to hand the visitors a 31-run win and keep them third on the standings.
David Wiese made handy contributions for the Titans on his return to South African domestic cricket
Meanwhile, on Thursday at St George’s Park, table-toppers the Warriors were looking to lay down a marker against coastal rivals Western Province.
The visitors batted first and reached 159/7 in their 20 overs. George Linde (MI Cape Town) top scored for WP after the home bowlers put them into early trouble, particularly Patrick Kruger (2/25). Beyers Swanepoel (1/34) and Anrich Nortje (1/42) also played their role in restricting the visitors.
In reply, Matthew Breetzke’s unbeaten 53 off 42 balls (4 fours, 1 six) and his unbroken 62-run partnership with Jordan Hermann (31 not out) helped the Warriors over the line with 14 balls to spare. In the process, the Warriors have moved to 23 points after five wins from five handing them a handy six-point gap over the Lions in second place.
Matthew Breetzke played a captain's knock as the Warriors extended their lead at the top of the domestic T20 challenge standings.
Thursday’s other game, between North West Dragons and the Rocks in Potchefstroom, featured seven SA20 players.
The visitors from Boland had first use of the pitch and compiled 146/6, with their two SA20 players being key in getting as much as that. Allrounder Ferisco Adams (Paarl Royals) top-scored with an unbeaten 50 (39 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) while he got late support from pace bowler Hardus Viljoen (Pretoria Capitals), who scored 21 not out.
Viljoen’s SA20 teammate, Migael Pretorius was the pick of the Dragons bowlers (including Senuran Muthusamy, Duan Jansen and Caleb Seleka), claiming a remarkable 4/14.
As it happened, the Dragons made light work of the chase and claimed a comfortable seven-win with 3.1 overs to spare – their second win of the tournament.
The mainstay of the hosts’ chase was Rubin Hermann – brother of the earlier mentioned Jordan. He plundered an unbeaten 96 (56 balls, 9 fours, 5 sixes), having previously scored 90 (vs Western Province) and 102 (vs Tuskers) this campaign.
SA20 players Ferisco Adams, Hardus Viljoen and Migael Pretorius played their role in an intriguing North West Dragons vs Rocks match at Potchefstroom.
Round up of best midweek performances from SA20-signed players:
Bryce Parsons – Dolphins (102* off 48 vs Titans)
Jon-Jon Smuts – Dolphins (61* off 33 vs Titans)
George Linde – Western Province (46 off 38 vs Warriors)
Matthew Breetzke – Warriors (53* off 42 vs Western Province)
Ferisco Adams – Rocks (50* off 39 vs North West Dragons)
Migael Pretorius – North West Dragons (4/14 vs Rocks)
