Debutants Gerald Coetzee and Shaun von Berg bowled the Knights to victory in the opening match of the 2019-20 4-Day Franchise Series against Warriors in Kimberley on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Coetzee, who was making his first-class debut, grabbed four wickets in the second innings of the match while Knights new-signing Von Berg claimed two wickets to help limit warriors to 180 all out, thereby securing a 255-run victory for the home side.

The pair combined to share 12 wickets between them in the match, with Von Berg being named Player of the Match for his six wickets as well as the half-century (61) he scored in the second innings.

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Knights captain Pite van Biljon (95) and the 2018-19 4-Day Franchise Series leading run-scorer Keegan Petersen (84) shared a third wicket 176-run partnership to help the home side set a commanding target of 436 runs for Warriors.

Mbulelo Budaza was also impressive with his bowling, grabbing three wickets in the first innings, including important wickets of Rudi Second and Jon-Jon Smuts, and two wickets in the second innings.

Head coach of the VKB Knights Alan Kruger is more than pleased with how his side played in their first match of the season and proud of how the whole team came together.

‘It is very exciting to get off the mark in the first game, it is every coach and every team’s dream and we are all happy with the result,’ commented Kruger.

‘I am very impressed with how Gerald started his first-class career. He came with energy and ran in to bowl with energy. Von Berg was also very impressive. He executed his job excellently.’

Photo: Gallo Images