Heaved through the covers, that's the end of that. Jozi fall 16 runs short.
Blitz vs Stars, 1st Match at Johannesburg, MSL, Nov 08 2019 - Match Result
Great game to kick off this edition of the MSL - albeit a hectic return to commentary for me. Apologies for the little errors I may have made, I am just warming up, and hope to catch you again soon. Until then, it's goodnight from me.
Here's some nuggets from the presentation:
Temba Bavuma: We knew it was going to be a good wicket and we backed our line-up to chase down whatever they put. I thought we were in control up to the 15th over. Our confidence is not dented as a team. I haven't felt much pressure. It's nice to be back in Johannesburg, back at home, playing with guys I am familiar with. There is responsibility captaining the defending champions but its also about having fun.
MOM Janneman Malan: It was good fun. Complements to my partners. I could just get one and a boundary. It would have been fun to get the extra run but not too bothered about it. Credit to Dale Steyn.He wasn't supposed to do so well on this wicket.
Quinton de Kock: We just wanted to come here and show the other teams what we are about. We wanted to stamp out authority down. I was just tagging along Janneman, He was flying along. The guys batted superbly. When Dale picked up a wicket, we spoke about it being time to step it up. That's what I asked for, that's what I got. It's great to get over the line. I am still getting used to captaining but as I am starting to get older, slowly become a leader, whether I am captain or not.
So, Quinton de Kock has claimed his first win as captain of the Cape Town Blitz, at his old stomping ground, The Wanderers. It was his opening partner Janneman Malan who set the tone with a magnificent 99 against an inconsistent Jozi Stars attack. The target of 214 was always going to be challenging but new Jozi Stars captain Temba Bavuma was confident chasing under lights would be easier. Reeza Hendricks scored 80, and showed off his excellent timing and placement, and had some help, but not enough. It was that man Dale Steyn who announced how much he still has to offer, with 3 for 25 in his four overs, featuring two good catches from Sisanda Magala, that was the difference between the sides.
In the blockhole and dug out, only as far as deep square leg
Jozi know this is over. It's full and Harmer tries to send that over fine leg but makes no contact at all
Defended on the back foot, as far as long on and there's two more but its not enough
chipped up and over towards third man, there's a chance of a catch but it bounces in front of the man
slower ball and its slugged away to deep mid-wicket, they push and succeed in getting two but its not going to be enough
24 runs needed off the final over and Nortje will bowl the final over
wafty from Harmer who swings at a ball outside off and misses
full on middle and driven down to long-off
And now surely it is! Magala gets some reward for his variations, this is a shorter ball and flicked to deep mid-wicket, straight to the fielder, who doesn't even have to move to accept the catch.
there's room to send this to deep cover and Dan does that, but there's man there so its just a run and its starting to look like this is swinging the Blitz's way
short and aimed at the body, Dan moves out of the way
on leg stump and turned to short fine-leg, Stars are now behind where the Blitz were at this stage, 201-3
short ball to end the over and Steyn has had a great night here at the Wanderers. Three for 25 in his four and he may well be the difference between these two sides
Steyn and Magala again! Hendricks gets under that, tries to go big over long-off but goes aerial instead and Magala is the man underneath it again. Hendricks hit it with the toe-end of the bat and Magala takes a second good catch, well-judged and that could be the wicket that ends the Stars' challenge.
Swats that down to third man where Moeen is waiting
Steyn misses the yorker again and Dan has hit on the full, through square for four, Steyn applauds
pushed to mid-wicket, a little straighter from Steyn
Steyn going for the yorker, just misses, Dan digs it out and sets off for one
just misses the length he was looking for and Hendricks stands and delivers! Driven in the air to long off, one bounce and its four. Blitz were 182-3 at the same stage. Nothing in it.
gets on top of that for a swat to mid-wicket and an easy two
New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | |
Toss | Jozi Stars, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2019/20 |
Player Of The Match | |
Hours of play (local time) | 17.30 start, First Session 17.30-19.00, Interval 19.00-19.20, Second Session 19.20-20.50 |
Match days | 8 November 2019 - daynight (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | Cape Town Blitz 4, Jozi Stars 0 |