Pinch-hitter Tyron Henderson slammed 85 off 54 balls to lead Eastern Cape to a stunning seven wicket Standard Bank Pro20 win over the Lions at the North West Stadium in Potchefstroom on Friday night.
Henderson, promoted up the order by skipper Mark Boucher, came off spectacularly, blasting three huge sixes and six fours on his way to the highest score yet in the competition.
Henderson — predictably voted Master Blaster — had plenty of help from middle-order batsman, Arno Jacobs (38 off 30 balls), as the pair put on 61 for the third wicket in double-quick time.
ECC looked to be sailing to victory at one stage, but Henderson departed when he mis-timed a pull off Terbrugge with nine runs needed off eight balls.
That sent a slight flutter through the visitors’ changeroom, but Jacobs stepped up to hit a six and a four off consecutive balls from Adam Bacher in the final over to seal the win with three balls remaining.
Earlier, the Lions were struggling after suffering three run outs, before Titans discard, Neil McKenzie, went on the rampage, smashing 59 off 32 balls (6×4, 2×6) to get his team up to a competitive 151 for five.
In the end though it proved too little for Henderson’s broad bat as he waded into the luckless Lions’ bowling attack.
The pick of the bowlers was ECC’s Johan Botha, who only conceded 18 runs in his four overs. He was rewarded with the Master Blaster bowling award.
The victory pushes the Eastern Cape outfit up to fourth place on 12 points from two wins, while the Lions languish at the bottom of the log on seven points from one victory.
In the remaining matches in the round-robin section, ECC take on the Titans at Supersport Park, while the Eagles host the Lions in Bloemfontein. Both matches are scheduled as day matches on Sunday. – Sapa