The Knights marked their return to Division 1 of domestic cricket with a narrow defeat on Saturday in Bloemfontein.
The Free State fell just short with a 3-run defeat according to the DLS method. It was against the North West Dragons in round 1 of the CSA T20 Challenge at the Mangaung Oval. The Dragons from Potchefstroom had a bat first and were in trouble in the first over with the allrounder Dian Forrester claiming the wickets of Rubin Hermann and Meeka-eel Prince.
A solid 91-run partnership for the third wicket between the two Proteas Wihan Lubbe and Janneman Malan steadied the ship for the visitors before the captain Lubbe was dismissed for 58. Malan in turn scored 40 runs, while the vice-captain, Lesiba Ngoepe, scored 32 not out as they reached 144/4 in their allotted 18 overs.
Forrester was the pick of the Knights bowlers with 2/22, while the veteran seamer Malusi Siboto marked his return with 2/46. As rain affected the Dragons’ innings, the Knights had to score 150 runs for the win. Forrester scored 46 not out in the chase, while the debutant Lesego Senokwane impressed with 39 runs, however, a few soft dismissals saw the Knights scoring 146/6 in their allotted 18 overs. The former Knights left-arm seamer was the pick of the Dragons bowlers with 3/30 in his 4 overs.
While it was a defeat, the Knights did manage to score more runs than their opponents, and it was a solid start nonetheless. On Friday the Knights will face Boland in Paarl, while on Sunday they will be up against the Warriors in Gqeberha. – MORGAN PIEK
