The big-hitting Proteas batter, Jacques Snyman, scored an unbeaten 87-runs on Saturday to guide the ITEC Knights to a four-wicket victory over the Garden Route Badgers in Bloemfontein.

The Badgers had a bat first in the Division 2 CSA T20 Challenge game at the Mangaung Oval and managed to post 166/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Matthew Christensen hit sevens fours as he scored 58-runs off 44 deliveries, while Jean du Plessis contributed with 48-runs off 33 balls as he his 4 fours and a six.

The seamer, Sithembile Langa, was the pick of the Knights bowlers with 2/35 in his 4 overs, while Nipho Mpungose and Dane Piedt each took 1/32 in their respective 4 overs.

In reply, the Knights needed just 17.3 overs to reach the target and this was thanks to the 87* of 49 balls by Snyman. In typical Snyman style, he struck 6 fours and hit 5 sixes to steer his team to victory. He was however dropped three times in his innings by the Badgers fielders, and this included on the last balls as well, when he hit the winning runs.

Fellow Protea, Gihahn Cloete in his turn scored 32 off 19, while Patrick Botha scored 24. The spinner, Kyle Jacobs, was outstanding with the ball for the Badgers with 3/30 in his 4 overs.

On Tuesday the Knights will face the Eastern Cape Iinyathi at Buffalo Park in East London.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport