Ken Borland

Pienaar was tremendous as well as he blazed 35 not out off just 10 balls, with three fours and three sixes as he finished the innings by slamming 24 off the last over, bowled by Sisanda Magala.

It was difficult to decide which was worse: the Warriors’ death bowling – which conceded 84 runs in the last five overs – or their batting which saw them fold to 131 all out in the 19^th over.

The Knights started their innings under heavily overcast skies and the floodlights shining, and Rudi Second (32) and Gerhardt Abrahams (48) had to weather some tricky early conditions. It even started drizzling, but Lady Luck smiled on the Wanderers as she ensured play was not interrupted.

The openers added 78 in the first nine overs, but the Knights middle-order could not capitalise on the fine start as Tumelo Bodibe (0), Pite van Biljon (22) and Andre Russell (10) fell as the Warriors’ spinners did a good job in the middle overs.

It was the pace bowlers who would be put to the sword at the death, with Lundi Mbane conceding 32 runs in two overs, Andrew Birch 16 in one and Magala 24 runs off the last over.

Left-arm spinner Jon-Jon Smuts showed once again that he will be a key bowler for the Warriors in the competition as he claimed two for 28 in his four overs.

There was very little prose-worthy batting in the Warriors’ reply, save for English import Craig Kieswetter, who struck the ball sweetly as he collected five fours and three sixes in his 51 off 38 balls.

It was the veteran seamer, Dillon du Preez, who did the most damage, claiming four for 25 in his four overs.

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