  Rusty Theron was the man of the moment in the Chevrolet Warriors’ three run victory over the Nashua Cape Cobras in the second semi final of the Standard Bank Pro20 Series at Axxess DSL St George’s on Friday. Theron, a man who can do no wrong this season, was against the odds in the final over, but stood his ground to defy the Cobras batsmen who only needed eight runs for victory.
In his magical over, Theron had Vernon Philander caught in the deep with the second ball, starred in Rory Kleinveldt’s run out with the fifth ball, and bowled a dot ball to deny Robin Peterson the required boundary off the final delivery.
Earlier in the innings, it was Justin Kemp and Peterson who swung the match into the Cobras’ favour, featuring in a fifth wicket partnership of 61. The Cobras struggled to 67/4 before the experienced pair came to the crease. Kemp’s patient innings of 42 off 32 balls included three (4’s) and two (6’s), as he passed the landmark of 1000 runs in Pro20 cricket. Peterson reached his half-century in the final over, an occasion that almost went unnoticed by the vocal St George’s crowd who were spurring Theron on. His unbeaten 50 off 46 balls at his former home ground could have changed the Cobras’ fortunes, had his solid innings received more support from the other batsmen. Master Blaster Bowler Theron finished with figures of (2/23), with Nicky Boje (1/25) and Makhaya Ntini (1/31) the other supporting cast.
The Warriors’ two in-form and explosive batsmen, Colin Ingram and Davey Jacobs led the charge for the home team, who were facing the Cobras at home for the second time in a week. The pair put on 96, the second highest partnership of the 2009/2010 Series, only behind the 98 that they put together against the Cobras last week Friday. The Warriors looked in trouble at 53/3, after losing Jon-Jon Smuts (24), Ashwell Prince (5) and Justin Kreusch (11), Prince to a moment of individual brilliance from Richard Levi, who took a stunning one handed diving catch running from mid-off to extra cover. The two got together in the 10th over, and carried the home side to a decent score of 149 in their 20 overs. Master Blaster Batsman, Ingram, reached his 50 off 36 balls, with a solid straight drive over the bowler for six to mark the milestone. The partnership yielded 11 boundaries, six (4’s) and five (6’s), at just over nine runs an over in challenging and slow conditions. The Cobras bowlers struggled to get wickets, with Monde Zondeki (1/29), Vernon Philander (1/24) and Robin Peterson (1/27) toiling away with economical figures.
The third semi-final heads to Sahara Park Newlands on Wednesday, with the Cobras needing nothing less than a win to keep their hopes of place in the March 12 Final alive. |