Innings Break, CSA One-Day Cup, Knights vs Rocks

Jacques Snyman © Gallo Images

The Knights, who won the toss and chose to bowl first, need 334 runs to win.

Malan, who anchored the innings, hit seven fours and two sixes on his way to patient 88 runs that made 110 deliveries. The Proteas opener and partner Valentine Kitime gave the Rocks a dream start despite failing to score a run straight away in the first over and a half of the game. The Rocks’ first three runs were extras, courtesy of Mbulelo Budaza and Migael Pretorius. However, after keeping an eye on it, Proteas opener Janneman Malan made 10 runs from the second over and just kept going, scoring just under six runs per over.

The Malan-Kiteme partnership saw the Rocks power play without a loss of wickets. Their partnership was worth 59 runs after 10 overs.

The opening grandstand finally collapsed in the 12th over when 19-year-old Kitime, who represented South Africa at the 2022 U19 World Cup, lost 16 of 28 balls bowled by Shimane Mothoa. Kitime’s replacement was veteran activist Stiaan van Zyl. The 35-year-old, who has played in the UK and raced at the T20 circuit, has suffered five deliveries and been sacked for one run.

Seven overs after the Knights’ double strike, Malan entered his 22nd List A half century. His march to 50 consisted of six fours and a lone six. Shortly after, Malan lost another partner when wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin was sacked by Budaza for 20 runs from 24 balls.

Malan and Leus du Plooy stopped the wicket procession with a 48-run fourth-wicket partnership spanning 9.4 overs. The partnership was disrupted by Migael Pretorius’ dismissal of du Plooy for 26 runs from 30 balls.

At the 30-over mark, the Rocks were at 154 for four.

Janneman Malan’s impressive shot ended after 37.1 overs. At the time of his release, the 26-year-old was part of a 47-year partnership with Michael Copeland. With Malan fired, much rested on Copeland’s shoulders as the last recognized batter.

Shortly after Malan’s sacking, the 20-year-old former SA U19 player raced to his first list in half a century. Copeland’s previous high was 42. He smashed four fours and three sixes on his way to 50 with a batting average of over 110. Copeland added 17 more runs to his tally and was released after hitting a new List A high of 67 runs 51 balls.

Ferisco Adams, Gbets Rocks captain, was in even more of a fighting spirit than young Copeland. The 33-year-old bowling all-rounder faced 33 deliveries as he cantered his way to a seventh List A half-century with five fours and two sixes. After 50 overs, Adams was unbeaten on 63 from 39. Shaun von Berg, who joined him at the crease in the 44th over, had scored an impressive 33 from 17 balls.

Mbulelo Budaza was the Knights’ most successful bowler with two wickets from 10 overs for 84 carries. Alfred Mothoa also took two wickets and conceded 84 runs, but had one fewer run over than his fellow runner.

GBETS ROCKS: Janneman Malan, Valentine Kitime, Stiaan van Zyl, Clyde Fortuin, Ferisco Adams (c), Michael Copeland, Leus du Plooy, Shaun von Berg, Hardus Viljoen, Bamanye Xenxe, Achille Cloete.