Lions secure home semi, Titans out

Ryan Rickelton posted a half century as the bizhub Highveld Lions secured a four-wicket victory in the CSA T20 Challenge to eliminate the Multiply Titans at Supersport Park in Centurion on Sunday.

Full Scorecard

Rickelton scored 74 off 47 balls with six fours and three maximums as the Lions ended on 149 for six with six balls to spare in reply to the Titans' 148 for seven after Temba Bavuma had won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Rickelton was instrumental in the chase, sharing in a 72-run stand with Bavuma (22) off 49 balls for the second wicket after Reeza Hendrciks (11) had edged Matthew Arnold (4-0-42-2) behind to Rubin Hermann. Rassie van der Dussen clubbed three fours and a six, of which won the match, from just 19 balls to get his side over the line despite Junior Dala bowling a good spell of 4-0-22-2.

Rickelton and Hendricks began the chase with a steady 24 for the first wicket but Hendricks' dismissal gave the home side hope but Bavuma, facing 18 balls while hitting one four and a six, provided the perfect foil for Rickelton, who took the game by the scruff of the neck and took the game away from the Titans.

Dala provided some hope when he removed Bavuma and then dismissed Wiaan Mulder without scoring. The Lions dugout had some worried faces when Dwaine Pretorius (0) and Nono Pongolo (9) fell by the wayside, dismissed by Tabraiz Shamsi (4-0-33-2) and Arnold respectively, but Van der Dussen saw to it that his side secured top spot and a home semifinal against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins, who ended fourth after their victory over the WSB Cape Cobras.

Earlier, Farhaan Behardien (48) and Grant Thomson (37) provided the backbone of the Titans innings with a partnership worth 77 from 59 balls for the fifth wicket as the home side struggled to come to terms with the early pressure build by the visitors.

Migael Pretorius (4-0-23-2) grabbed the wickets of Tony de Zorzi (15) and Diego Rosier (17) after Lizaad Williams (4-0-32-3) had made the early breakthrough with wicket of Rubin Hermann (5), who opened in place of Henry Davids, who was not available for selection.

Mulder (3-0-16-2) then dismissed Jonathan Vandiar (9) to leave the home side in trouble at 47 for four before Behardien, who faced 38 balls and struck four fours and a six, and Thomson, who struck one four and two sixes from 29 balls, build a stand that gave the Titans a chance.

Once Williams returned and dismissed both Behardien and Thomson, the Titans struggled to build on the platform with Arnold falling for seven.

The Titans will be bitterly disappointed at missing out on the play-off's considering that they had won the title three times in a row and will not be able to defend their title but the Lions, who were lagging in the event, have come stroming back and after their exciting victory over the Cobras on Friday, secured their position at the top of the log and a home semifinal.

MULTIPLY TITANS-Tony de Zorzi, Jonathan Vandiar, Diego Rosier, Farhaan Behardien (capt), Matthew Arnold, Rubin Hermann (wk), Grant Thomson, Shaun von Berg, Gregory Mahlokwana, Tabraiz Shamsi, Junior Dala.
BIZHUB HIGHVELD LIONS - Ryan Rickelton (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Wiaan Mulder, Nono Ponogolo, Bjorn Fortuin, Aaron Phangiso, Migael Pretorius, Lizaad Williams.