Cricket
Lions defend T20 Challenge title─── MORGAN PIEK 10:00 Mon, 28 Oct 2024
The Lions successfully defended their CSA T20 Challenge title on Sunday after beating the Titans by 8 wickets in the final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
The Titans had a bat first and were bowled out for 119 in 19.2 overs with Gerald Coetzee top-scoring with 20, while Lutho Sipamla took 4/12 in his 4 overs in an exceptional spell of bowling.
The wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen scored 48 not out and Rassie van der Dussen was unbeaten with 44 as the Lions chased down the total in just 15.1 overs.
“It’s very special and I’m very grateful to God after a tough time with injuries last year,” said Sipamla who also came close to claiming a hat trick. “It’s nice to see my hard work getting results. I don’t try to think too much beyond my processes and being my best, whether at practice or in the game,” Sipamla said after the impressive triumph.
“The top of off-stump is always very effective and the coach Allan Donald always pushes for that. Hitting the top off is probably your best ball, especially on pitches like that and it’s all about execution. I just try to be in the moment and the rest will take care of itself.”
The focus now shifts to the CSA 4-Day series which starts on Wednesday with the Dolphins at home to Western Province at Kingsmead.
OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh
