Zoutnet | Sport | Limpopo outfox Killers to clinch T20 victory

The Louis Trichardt Cricket Club’s current T20 league drew to an end this past weekend when Limpopo Dairy came up against the Killers in the final clash of the series.

Limpopo batted first in Saturday’s match at the Louis Trichardt Oval, managing to rack up 147 runs before being bowled out in the 17^th over. Top scoring with the bat for Limpopo was Leon Olwage, who put on 43 runs off only 20 balls in an innings that included five fours and three sixes. Also contributing double figures with the bat were Amir (Saif) Bux (13), Ifran Patel (11), Morné Olwage (11), Brendan Bruce (19), and Iqram Patel (20).

For the Killers, Ruan van Tonder was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four wickets for the loss of only 20 runs in his four overs (4/20/4). Dian van Tonder picked up two wickets for 17 runs in two overs, while teammate Zander Vollgraaff also took two wickets but for 40 runs in his four overs. AC Geldenhuys and Craig Viljoen took one wicket each.

The Killers might have fancied their chances of clinching the match with Limpopo setting a relatively low target to defend, but two quick wickets for Limpopo early in the game put the Killers on the back foot. Batsman Craig Viljoen, in at number three, and teammate Zander Vollgraaff, in at number four, brought some stability (and respectability) to the batting, with Viljoen scoring 27 off 21 balls and Vollgraaff contributing 52 runs off 49 balls in an innings that featured four fours and two sixes. With Viljoen’s wicket falling in the sixth over, Vollgraaff ran out of partners on the other side of the crease, eventually losing his wicket in the 16^th over. None of the other Killers batsmen managed to reach double figures, and the team was bowled out in the 19^th over with their score on 118, giving Limpopo a 29-run win.

For Limpopo, bowler Iqram Patel stood out, taking four wickets for the loss of only 12 runs in his four overs with an economy rate of 3.00. Ifran Patel took two wickets for 12 runs in two overs, with one wicket each for bowlers Brendan Bruce, Amir (Saif) Bux, JP van Niekerk, and Wynand Benade.

Winning captain Leon Olwage lifted the trophy on behalf of Limpopo, while Rafik Musa Patel scooped the Man of the Match award. Overall, AC Geldenhuys walked away with the trophy for best batsman in the series with a total of 395 runs, while Zander Vollgraaff was voted best bowler, claiming a total of 12 wickets.