The first week of the CSA T20 Challenge has been nothing short of action, with the Auto Investments North West Dragons currently placed sixth on the log standings after five matches (1 win, 3 losses and 1 No Result).
A look at their opening matches;
Momentum Multiply Titans vs Auto Investments North West Dragons – SuperSport Park, Centurion
Auto Investment North West Dragons lost to defending champions, Momentum Multiply Titans by 13 runs in Centurion.
Batting first after losing the toss, the home side recorded 169 for seven with Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram (40) top-scoring, followed by Rivaldo Moonsamy (35) and Dewald Brevis (29).
Migael Pretorius was the best of the bowlers for the away side with three for 18.
Seasoned South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi then replicated those figures for the Titans, with support from Junior Dala (3/30), to keep the Dragons at bay on 158/8 to give the Centurion-based side a solid opening win.
Rookie Proteas, Raynard Van Tonder, was the top-scorer for NW as he struck 48 off 33 in a losing cause.
Auto Investments North West Dragons vs DP World Lions – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Lions defeated Auto Investment North West Dragons by nine wickets for their bonus-point win as Reeza Hendricks shone with both bat and ball.
But before his destructive 57* off 30 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) took the visitors to their 104 target in 10.4 overs, Bjorn Fortuin claimed 4/27 in a strong bowling display for the Johannesburg side.
Kwena Maphaka continued to impress, claiming 2/11 with the new ball, while captain Bjorn Fortuin took 2/14. Hendricks too was amongst those to strike, sending down three overs for his return of 1/18 in another good showing by the recently crowned CSA 4-Day Series champions.
World Sports Betting Western Province vs Auto Investments North West Dragons – WSB Newlands, Cape Town
World Sports Betting Western Province narrowly overcame Auto Investment North West Dragons by four runs in Cape Town.
Jonathan Bird and Kyle Verreynne both hit 42s to propel the home side to an impressive 188/7 after they were put in to bat first at World Sports Betting Newlands Cricket Ground.
Recently capped Proteas Test all-rounder Ruan De Swardt was the pick of the bowlers with 3/23.
Rubin Hermann’s express 90 off 54 balls (9 fours, 4 sixes) had then set the Dragons on the victory part.
Supported by Raynard Van Tonder (34) and Wihan Lubbe (20), the away side were cruising on 167 for three needing 21 from the last two overs, before Beuran Hendricks (2/28) struck a double blow that saw them finish short on 184/6.
Auto Investments North West Dragons vs AET Tuskers – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Rubin Hermann recorded his maiden century as Auto Investment North West Dragons recorded their first win of the 2023/24 T20 Challenge season.
Hermann helped the Dragons flatten AET Tuskers for a massive 125-run bonus-point win, their first of the term against the winless KwaZulu-Natal side.
In a home match for the Tuskers, moved to the North West on account of venue challenges in Pietermaritzburg, the locals batted first and notched up a fine 207/4.
Hermann was the stand-out performer with his career-best 102 (54 balls, 11 fours, 3 sixes), while Meeka-eel Prince made 58 (34 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes).
Former KZN duo, Senuran Muthusamy (3/16) and Kerwin Mungroo (2/14), were the pick of a fine bowling display that also saw Caleb Seleka grab 2/16 – Tuskers blown away for 82 in 14.5 overs.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs Auto Investments North West Dragons – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
The match between the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and Auto Investments NW Dragons was abandoned after 13.2 overs with the away side reaching 79/4 when the rain arrived to ruin the evening for both teams.