Benoni - A clinical all-round performance earned the Warriors a well-deserved victory in their bottom-of-the-table clash against the Impi at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Wednesday night.
In their first win of the season in the 20-over competition, the Warriors won by 36 runs after setting an imposing target of 183.
The hapless Impi put up a valiant fight thanks to a 50-run partnership from Paul Collingwood (28) and Ryan ten Doeschate (23) in the middle of the innings and a late charge from Ryan Canning but it was never going to be enough.
Veteran bowler Makhaya Ntini removed the stumps of Impi opener Adrian McLaren (11) in his first over and bowled Khaya Zondo (3) in his second.
Former England player Luke Wright (24), who opened with McLaren, put up some initial resistance, smashing two fours and a six, but it was Canning’s unbeaten 36, off 25 balls which kept them alive for the full 20 overs.
The innings was also memorable for Colin Ingram’s first wicket in 20-over cricket as he bowled Quinton Friend (3) and it was Paul Collingwood’s third run-out in as many matches.
Ntini, who was also responsible for running out Siya Simetu with a direct hit, finished with 2-38, but Birch was the pick of the bowlers with his 2-21.
Impi’s international players were responsible for the only two wickets to fall as the Warriors powered their way to 182 for two.
Ashwell Prince scored his first T20 half-century of the season, combining with Jon Jon Smuts for a 71-run opening partnership.
Wright took the wicket of Smuts (23) and Prince was eventually caught and bowled by Australian seam bowler Ben Edmondson for 63.
Colin Ingram (42 not out) and Craig Thyssen (49 not out) came together at 117/2 in the 15th over and added 65 off 34 balls, including five fours and three sixes, to set the total.
The Impi put up a poor performance in the field and dropped several routine catches.
After Thyssen was dropped off the first ball of a Pumelela Matshikwe over, by Ten Doeschate, he went on to score another 18 off it.
It’s back to the drawing board for the Impi as they have now lost six out of six. - Sapa