File photo – Simon Harmer impressed both with the bat and ball in a low-scoring game © Associated Press
Warriors chased down 95 in 17.2 overs to beat Knights in a wicket-fest, and post their first victory of the season. Knights, on the other side, suffered their fourth defeat as their push for the title received a significant blow.
Fifteen wickets tumbled on the first day, and 16 on the second, before Martin Walters‘ 40 off 39 balls, the second-best score in the match, helped Warriors break their drought. Edward Moore, the other opener, stayed unbeaten, on 29, as did No.3 Colin Ackermann.
Having opted to bowl, Warriors seized the initiative by routing Knights for 128 in 51 overs. South Africa international Simon Harmer and Jerry Nqolo did the bulk of the damage, claiming combined figures of 21-9-36-7.
Even as wickets fell around him, Rudi Second ground out 41 in 155 minutes, the highest score in the low-scoring match. Werner Coetsee (33), the captain, and opener Reeza Hendricks (18) were the only other batsmen to make double figures.
Warriors then endued a collapse of their own, but useful lower-order wagging put them in the lead. Seamer Duanne Olivier picked up his tenth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket and was ably assisted by Malusi Siboto as Warriors were reduced to 94 for 7 by the 40th over. Harmer stepped up with the bat and found company from No.9 Sisanda Magala; the pair put on 53, the joint-second best stand in the match.
Facing a deficit of 37, Knights saw their top order getting cleaned up by Anrich Nortje. He ended with career-best returns of 5 for 34.
Coetsee, Shadley van Schalkwyk, and Malusi Siboto mounted some late resistance, but Knights only managed to set a target of 95, which was easily knocked off courtesy positive batting from Warriors’ top three. Warriors walked away with 15.3 points, having knocked over Knights inside two days.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo