A career-best century by Gihahn Cloete helped the Warriors arrest a three-match losing slide with a 60-run victory over the Knights in their Momentum One-Day Cup clash at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Tuesday.
The opener blasted 143 (128 balls, 25 fours, 1 six) as the men from the Eastern Cape amassed 335/9, before bowling out the hosts for 275 to complete a comfortable win – their first since round one.
Left-hander Cloete was the undoubted star, leading from the front to reach the first List A ton of his career, which surpassed the 85 he made for Griquas against North West in 2012/13.
The Warriors had won the toss and elected to bat first, but no other batsmen even crossed the half-century mark.
Debutant Marco Marais, who earlier this season made world headlines after he recorded the fastest ever triple century, struck a noteworthy 41 off 28 balls on his franchise debut, while Clyde Fortuin also hit 41.
Duanne Olivier was the pick of the Knights bowlers with 4/65.
However, there was no real challenge by the home side with the bat.
Keegan Petersen top-scored with 53 (58 balls, 4 fours, 1 six), with the rest of the top eight all making good starts with 20s and a 37 for Ryan McLaren.
The loss of regular wickets eventually proved to be their Achilles’ heel as they were dismissed in 49.1 overs.
Anrich Nortje (2/49), Sisanda Magala (2/54) and Ayabulela Gqamane (2/55) all picked up two wickets apiece as the hosts were left still searching for a first win.
– African News Agency (ANA
(Image:Superport)
