The DP World Lions men’s team were able to make a triumphant start to their One-Day Cup campaign as they went down to Cape Town and beat the defending champions Western Province by 40 runs at the weekend.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first at Newlands, #ThePrideOfJozi were able to make a very competitive 259 for seven in their 50 overs. Josh Richards (29) and Reeza Hendriks (32) were able to set up a decent platform for the Lions as they added 51 for the second wicket in less than 10 overs.
Zubayr Hamza, who stroked an impressive 56 and Mitchell van Buuren, who scored a dashing 48 off 58 deliveries, then built on the foundation to put the Lions in charge with a third-wicket stand of 104 in 19 overs.
On a pitch which sometimes made fluent strokeplay difficult, Connor Esterhuizen (38) and Delano Potgieter (17) gave the run-rate an important boost in the last 10 overs and then Codi Yusuf’s 18 not out off eight balls lifted the Lions to a match winning score.
The reigning CSA T20 Challenge double champions did encounter some resistance, however, from the Western Province batsmen, with the home side reaching 161/4 after 36 overs.
But a devastating second spell from the in-form Lutho Sipamla, in which he collected four wickets in five overs, ripped the match away from Western Province. Sipamla claimed 4/43 from his nine overs as the Western Cape team were bowled out for 219.
There were also very good bowling displays from Yusuf (9-0-31-1) and captain Bjorn Fortuin (10-1-40-2), while Tshepo Moreki claimed the last two wickets to fall to ensure #ThePrideOfJozi came away from Cape Town with the spoils.
The DP World Lions will be back in action in Gauteng on Friday, albeit at SuperSport Park in Centurion as they look to take the honours from the Titans in the Jukskei Derby. The Lions can derive much confidence and momentum from their fantastic start to the competition.
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