The Cape Cobras made it two in a row in the One-Day Cup at the weekend as they cruised to victory over the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers.
Fresh from a similarly easy win over the Titans on Friday, the Cobras were never troubled in their seven-wicket win, with 17 balls remaining, against a struggling Lions team who were restricted to 237 after they elected to bat first.
Given a turbo-boost by Richard Levi, who smashed 40 off 27 balls with eight fours, the Cobras were then able to settle into a gentle jog to victory, with Pieter Malan top-scoring with 89 off 111 balls, with 12 fours, and JP Duminy following with an unbeaten 80 off 111 balls (6×4).
Earlier, Dane Paterson led the way as the Cobras dismantled the Lions batting lineup, taking three for 41, with incisive support from Rory Kleinveldt (2-41) and Mthiwekhaya Nabe (2-41).
After losing their openers with 12 runs on the board, the Lions looked to be getting back on track at 189-4 with solid contributions from Dominic Hendricks (40), Mangaliso Mosehle (20) and Rassie van der Dussen (65).
At which point Van der Dussen was caught behind off Paterson and the innings slid away. Duanne Pretorius tried to anchor the tail, ending with 45, but there was little support and no constructive partnerships as the Lions lost five wickets for 48 runs, succumbing in the 50th over and offering the Cobras a run rate of 4.7.
Beuran Hendricks claimed the wicket of Levi when he was well caught in the deep by Kagiso Rapulana, and then added Aviwe Mgijima in the same over, but any hopes they had were soon dashed.
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
