The Warriors won the toss and put Free State in to bat first under overcast conditions.

The Knights made a slow start with the bat at the Mangaung Oval but managed to post 247/7 in their allotted 50 overs. All-rounder Dian Forrester was the standout performer, smashing an unbeaten 123, which included nine fours and six huge sixes.

Beyers Swanepoel. Photo: Morgan Piek

Patrick Botha played a crucial supporting role, scoring 58 in a 132-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Forrester. While Botha hit just one four and two sixes, his biggest contribution was rotating the strike efficiently, allowing the hard-hitting Forrester to dominate.

The Knights found themselves in a spot of bother at 56/4, with Jacques Snyman (1), Gihahn Cloete (11), Lesego Senokwane (21), and Dominic Hendricks (12) failing to make an impact. This early collapse was largely due to an excellent opening spell from former Knights and Northern Cape Heat seamer Beyers Swanepoel, along with Siya Plaatjie.

Former Knights spinner Jason Raubenheimer was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers, returning figures of 2/27 in his ten overs, while Swanepoel took 2/35 and Plaatjie 2/52.

Patrick Botha. Photo: Morgan Piek

The partnership between Forrester and Botha gave the Knights something to defend, but they needed a strong start with the ball. That’s exactly what they got when Snyman struck in the first over, bowling the dangerous and in-form Jordan Hermann for a golden duck with the third ball of the innings.

The Warriors were struggling at 7/1 after five overs when rain brought play to a halt, with former Knight Diego Rossier on 5* and wicketkeeper Jean du Plessis unbeaten on 1*. At around 19:00, the umpires called off the game due to persistent rain.

Forrester told OFM Sport that while it wasn’t the result they had hoped for to break their winless streak at home, they would take the positives from the match and were content with the two points.

Dian Forrester. Photo: Morgan Piek

“I think we really wanted to get out there and try to get a win, but it’s good to get two points on the board. At least we’re off the mark now, and it gives us good momentum as a team,” Forrester said.

“It was a good start with the ball and a strong finish with the bat, so we can only go up from here, which is really positive. But like you said, Bloemfontein also does need the rain.”

Speaking about his first One-Day century in Division 1 cricket, Forrester said he felt it was coming and just needed to convert his good form into a big score.

“Yeah, it’s an amazing feeling,” he said. “I think it’s been coming—I told coach JP (Triegaardt) that I’ve been feeling good in the nets, but it just hadn’t come off in the matches yet. So yeah, I’m just honestly so grateful.

“It felt amazing out there, every single ball. I was just trying to stay in the moment, watch every ball, and play it on merit. Honestly, all glory to God—He’s my Saviour!”

The Knights’ next scheduled game is on Saturday when they take on defending champions Western Province in Bloemfontein. The match at the Mangaung Oval is set to start at 13:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport