In an amazing finish, the Cape Cobras sneaked into the Pro20 final with a nail-biting, last-ball win against the Warriors. All had seemed lost after the home team faltered, chasing a moderate target, but some power hitting and brave running saw them home.
The Cobras had the best of starts after Alan Dawson won the toss and dismissed Justin Kreusch with the first ball of the match. Dawson also claimed the wicket of Arno Jacobs as he completed his spell of four overs unbroken, finishing with two for 15. The bowlers maintained a tight line and length, and only one boundary — a Jacobs six off Dawson — was scored in the first 10 overs.
The experienced pair of Zander de Bruyn and HD Ackerman added 59 off 56 balls to steady the ship for the visitors. Ackerman went on to register the top score with 58 off 40 balls (five fours and two sixes) before being dismissed in the final over. He needed a runner to complete his innings, a rare sight in this form of the game.
The Cobras looked as if they would romp home as Adam Bacher hit a six and a four in the opening over. Both he and JP Duminy looked good as they put on 26 for the first wicket, but in a disastrous patch of play, four wickets fell for 11 in the space of 16 balls.
The Cobras needed another 84 off 11 overs with just five wickets in hand at that stage.
Warren Swan and Vernon Philander edged the Cobras towards the line with a partnership of 29, but the fireworks came when Rory Kleinveldt replaced Swan. The task looked too daunting as the home team needed 41 off the last three overs. The two all-rounders responded with a flurry of sixes as the 18th over produced 20 runs and the 19th another sixteen.
Just five were needed off the final over, and the first ball produced a single before a wild hit by Philander put the game back in the balance, ending a partnership of 51 off just 28 balls. Philander scored his 41 off 31 balls (three sixes). Con de Lange went first ball and the Cobras still needed four off the last three balls. Singles by Dawson and Kleinveldt left two to win off the final ball.
De Bruyn brought his field in to save the single. However, he was then informed that the Warriors would advance to the final by virtue of having lost fewer wickets if the match was tied, and set a more conventional defensive field. This allowed Dawson to play a well-weighted shot to long on.
Kleinveldt sprinted back to the non-striker’s end to complete the single as if his very life depended on it, and the Cobras were home by the skin of their teeth.
Kleinveldt’s innings earned him the ”Master Blaster Batsman” award (30 off 15 balls, three sixes) and Dawson won the bowling award. — Sapa