Jonker smashes Warriors to victory
by Brendon Atwell 17 February 2013, 18:20
An unbeaten half century from Christiaan Jonker helped seal an emphatic eight-wicket victory for the Chevrolet Warriors over the Chevrolet Knights in the RAM SLAM T20 Challenge at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Sunday.
Full Scorecard – Knights v Warriors
Jonker smashed 66 off just 44 balls, with six fours and four sixes, and combined in a 109-run second-wicket partnership with Colin Ingram to reach their revised victory target.
The Warriors' original target of 137 was reduced to 127 off 18 overs after rain interrupted proceedings at the end of the Knights' innings.
Ingram played the anchor role with Jonker, as the Proteas ODI middle-order batsman scored 46 off 43 balls with seven boundaries. The second-wicket partnership of 109 came off 13 overs.
The Knights bowlers were not able to contain Jonker, as the 26-year-old, right-handed batsman played the ball to all corners of the park. Jonker lost his opening partner, Ashwell Prince (0), off the second ball of the innings, but Ingram strode to the crease with purpose.
Dillon du Preez (1-22) and Johan van der Wath (1-13) kept things tight initially, but the rest of the Knights' attack could not back them up.
The Knights had earlier been sent into bat, and were restricted to 136 for seven, with Gihahn Cloete (37) and Rilee Rossouw (35) combining for a second-wicket partnership of 65. Obus Pienaar contributed with 24 lower down the order.
Rusty Theron, who returned from injury, was the pick of the Warriors bowling attack, claiming 2-23 in four overs. Ayabulela Gqamane, Wayne Parnell and Andrew Birch all claimed one wicket apiece.
Cloete and Ryan Bailey (3) both ran themselves out, while the Knights' new recruit, Loots Bosman, was not able to impact on the game, as he was dismissed for just four.
CHEVROLET KNIGHTS: Loots Bosman, Rilee Rossouw, Gihahn Cloete (w/k), Ryan Bailey, Obus Pienaar, Ryan McLaren, Werner Coetsee, Dillon du Preez, Johan van der Wath (capt), Jandre Coetzee, Malusi Siboto.
CHEVROLET WARRIORS: Davy Jacobs (capt), Ashwell Prince, Colin Ingram, Christiaan Jonker, Adrian McLaren (w/k), Wayne Parnell, Craig Thyssen, simon Harmer, Rusty Theron, Andrew Birch, Ayabulela Gqamane.
