Hendricks anchors Knights victory

After a strong start, Lions collapsed dramatically in their chase of 176, losing nine wickets for 73 runs to fall 29 short of Knights in Potchefstroom.

Lions had raced to 73 for 0 in 8.5 overs, with openers Rassie van der Dussen and Devon Conway batting solidly. They needed 103 off 73 balls with all wickets intact, a fairly straightforward equation, before Conway was caught behind off Malusi Siboto for 36. That dismissal began the first part of the Lions collapse, in which three wickets fell for 15 runs. Offspinner Werner Coetsee dismissed Alviro Petersen and van der Dussen, who made 40 off 26 balls, in successive overs.

From 88 for 3, Andre Malan and Thami Tsolekile took Lions to 122 for 3, but the run rate had slowed and they needed 54 off 25 balls. Siboto once again made the crucial strike for Knights, bowling Tsolekile for 20. The collapse was swift thereafter. Lions lost their next three wickets for one run in the space of five deliveries, with Shadley van Schalkwyk taking two off successive balls. The chase fizzled out and Lions ended with 146 for 9, with West Indian allrounder Andre Russell returning economical figures of 1 for 21 in four overs for Knights.

Knights had also enjoyed a strong start after they had lost the toss, their openers Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw adding 90 in 10.3 overs. Rossouw made 46 off 29 balls, but Hendricks batted through the innings, remaining unbeaten on 72 off 56. Hendricks' solidity at one end helped Knights overcome a period during which they lost three wickets for 26 runs. Wicketkeeper Tulemo Bodibe gave the innings a strong finish by smacking 22 off 9 balls, leading Knights to the match-winning total of 175 for 5.