• Rain gives Lions home semi

    The match in Kimberley was abandoned due to the weather, while the Cape Cobras beat the Warriors in Paarl.

    The Knights batted first and compiled 186-7 in their 20 overs. Rilee Rossouw was the main contributor, showing his class with a 34-ball 64.

    The massive total gave the hosts a chance of winning with a bonus point and therefore hosting the Highveld Lions in the semi-final. The Lions had other ideas, though, as they came out swinging in the chase. They reached 22-0 in 2.2 overs, before the players left the field and never returned.

    In Paarl, the table-topping Cape Cobras crushed the Warriors by nine-wickets to take momentum into the final. The men from the Cape had a number of stars back in their ranks, including Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla.

    Steyn was at his miserly best with the ball, taking 1-19 in his four overs. He lead the attack and his spell was key in restricting the visitors to a below par 131-5.

    It could have been even worse for the Warriors, who were rocked early, if it wasn’t for Yaseen Vallie and Ryan Bailey. Vallie, on loan from the Cobras, scored 39 off 38 balls against his permanent employers, while Bailey struck a 41-ball 62 to give his side an outside chance of victory.

    In reply, Richard Levi became the leading run-scorer in the competition before falling for 22 off 21 deliveries. That was as good as it got for the Warriors, as Amla and Dane Vilas took their team home with 11 balls to spare.

    Amla finished on 56 off 51 balls, while the wicket-keeper contributed 43 off 38 deliveries. They will both be pleased with the time in the middle ahead of the final at Newlands next Friday.

    Report compiled by Gareth Stevens.

    Photo: Backpagepix

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