It was confidence and momentum, rather than league position, that were at stake with both sides having already qualified for the final of the league.
In a game characterised by disciplined bowling and committed fielding, Thalang Cricket Team (TCT) were restricted to 106 all out in the first innings. Patong were made to work hard in reaching the modest total and would require another last gasp effort to secure a 4 wicket victory with 3 balls remaining.
The last time these two teams met in league it took a dramatic late onslaught from Patong to secure victory in the final over. Patong were again made to chase after TCT’s captain Simon Wetherell won the toss and elected to bat first on a stiflingly hot morning.
TCT’s Andrew McMillan opened and looked dangerous throughout his innings of 48 off 32 balls. Unfortunately, when he was eventually run out by Darryn Mathee, he had already lost 7 batting partners.
It was the constant wicket taking threat of Patong that prevented any significant partnerships being built. Henno Jordan, Seemant Raju and Eric Jacobs all picked up 2 wickets apiece, but it was Mathee who was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 17 runs off his 4 overs.
It was Paddy Morton and captain Raju who opened for Patong. Both found runs difficult to come by early on as TCT’s openers Barry Buck and Anthony Dupont bowled accurately, offering little width. Morton and Raju guided Patong past the halfway mark with a partnership of 59 before Raju (15 off 38) fell to McMillan in the 12th over.
With wickets in hand and just over a run-a-ball required the game was still firmly in Patong’s favour. The introduction of Paan Sriwang and Hico McDonald for TCT changed matters – both picked up 2 wickets. Paan bowled Morton (40 off 37 balls) in the 15th over with the score now 84 for 2.
From this point on, the steady loss of wickets made runs difficult to come by and the pressure told in the 19th over when Jordaan (18 off 24) was caught and Van Blerk (0 off 0) was run out the very next ball leaving Patong on 99 for 5 requiring 8 off the final over.
It was the perfect start for Patong as Mathee lofted the first ball over long on for six off the bowling of McDonald only to be bowled the next ball. This brought Justin Swart to the crease with 2 runs required. Swart kept his nerve and calmly clipped his first ball over square leg for 2 and the game was won.
Patong will face TCT in the final of the Outrigger T20 League to be played at the ACG next Sunday (Sept 27). Patrick Morten