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Warriors kick off MODC campaign

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Warriors got their 2017 Momentum One-Day Cup (MODC) campaign off to a good start.  A record fifth wicket partnership of 131 by Jon-Jon Smuts and Christiaan Jonker guided the Warriors to a six wicket win over the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg last night.

Sisanda Magala was the pick of the bowlers for the winning side, with figures of three for 28.

Chasing under the lights tends to be the way to go at the Wanderers and after winning the toss the Warriors elected to field first.

Despite losing the wicket of Reeza Hendricks in the sixth over, the home side made a decent start with the bat and after ten overs they managed to post 40 for loss of one wicket  the average score in the power play at the Wanderers being 47 for one.

With the home side looking to build some momentum, the Warriors struck again. Rassie van der Dussen edged Ayabulela Gqamane’s delivery to the safe hands of Gihahn Cloete behind the stumps.

Stephen Cook was the next Lions batsman to lose his wicket, this after a rather fortuitous run-out which saw the Cook’s bat get stuck in the ground before reaching the crease.

The momentum was clearly with the bowling side. Collin Ackermann claimed the wicket of Ryan Rickelton shortly after the dismissal Cook and the Lions found themselves in a tight spot on 95 for four after 21 overs.

The fifth wicket partnership between Ramela Omphile and Dwaine Pretorius consolidated things for the home side — the pair bringing up their fifty run partnership from 53 deliveries to guide their team to 145 for four with 21 over left.

Despite losing two partners while at the crease, Dwaine Pretorius went on to score his 9th fifty from 52 deliveries.

Clayton Bosch picked up the wicket of Beuran Hendricks with a yorker as the Warriors managed to restrict the Lions to a modest total of 209 all out with more than tens overs remaining.

In reply, the visitors had little trouble chasing down the Lions’ total.

Jon-Jon Smuts scored an unbeaten 70 from 70 deliveries, while Christiaan Jonker contributed an unbeaten 55 runs to hand their side a comprehensive six wicket win over the Lions.

 

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