Allround Smuts leads Warriors to victory

An allrounder display from Jan Smuts propelled Warriors to a 31-run win over Knights at Buffalo Park in East London. Warriors chose to bat and Smuts led the way with a patient 98 to anchor his side. The innings was built the old fashioned way, with the top order scoring at less than five an over, before the lower order had a go at the end. Four of the top five batsmen had strike-rates under 80; the next three had strike-rates over 140. JP Kresuch, who made 46, shared the biggest partnership of the innings with Smuts, 85 for the fourth wicket. It was Smuts' departure, caught and bowled by Werner Coetsee in the 44th over, that led to surge in the scoring rate as Johan Botha, Craig Thyssen and Nicky Boje all had a go to take their side to 265 for 7.

Knights lost regular wickets from the start of their chase, and struggled to build momentum. They had slid to 119 for 7 before Coetsee and Charl Pietersen attempted to resurrect their challenge, but it was too little too late. Smut had Pietersen caught for 41 and though Coetsee remained unbeaten on 66, Knights were always behind the asking rate and could only manage 234 for 9. Smuts finished with figures of 3 for 48 to and was named Player of the Match.

The game between Dolphins and Cape Cobras was called off due to rain after just 10 overs were bowled.