BANGALORE, India, CMC – Henry Davids stroked an unbeaten half-century to guide Cape Cobras to an uncomplicated eight-wicket win over Victoria yesterday and put them on the verge of a spot in the final four of the Twenty20 Champions League.
Set 126 to win in a match reduced to 17 overs after a security threat held up the start for almost two hours, Cape Cobras cantered comfortably to 129 for two with the right-handed Davids finishing with 69 from 54 balls.
He cracked seven fours and two sixes and shared a match-winning, unbroken stand of 88 with the in-form JP Duminy who fashioned a quiet 18 from 23 balls.
Cape Cobras looked shaky early on when captain Andrew Puttick (4) clipped Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle to midwicket at 11 for one after just seven balls of the innings.
However, opener Derek Brand lashed 29 from 15 balls with five fours and a six in posting 30 from 20 balls for the second wicket with Davids, as Cape Cobras recovered well to reach their target with an over to spare.
Earlier, South African pacer Monde Zondeki (2-21) snatched both openers inside the first three balls of the innings to leave Victoria shell-shocked at two wickets down without a run on the board.
But Victoria were measured in their response to crisis, as Andrew McDonald (29), Cameron White (24) and Aiden Blizzard (22) all carved out starts to help their side’s recovery.
White and McDonald added a vital 35 from 27 balls for the fifth wicket while Matthew Wade (18) joined McDonald to post another 31 from 19 balls in an unbroken sixth wicket partnership.
