Dragons captain leads his charges unbelievable win in 4-Day Cup

Euphoria filled the J.B. Marks Oval this afternoon (Sunday, 3 December) when the North West Dragons captain Wihan Lubbe (5/20) cleaned bowled Thamsanqa Kumalo for 26 to lead his team to a superb 115-run victory in their CSA 4-Day Cup match against the KZN Inland Tuskers.

Lubbe jumped into team-mate, Migael Pretorius’ arms in pure delight before embraced by nine of other fielders who celebrated with high fives, fist pumps and ecstatic hollering.

Kumalo’s wicket was the culmination of constant pressure that the Dragons fielders had put on the opposition. For the majority of the last hour they encircled Kumalo and company like vultures around the bat, waiting to pick the bones. This aggressive approach paid off as they took 8 wickets for 28 runs in the final session to skittle their opposition for 106 all out in 38.2 overs.

The Tuskers needed 222 for victory in around 42 overs, which was possible, but had an element of risk if they went for the win.

The Dragons proved that declaring on 282/8 earlier in the second session was a real masterstroke, as it gave them an window of opportunity for victory, rather than settling for a draw.

This plan started off brilliantly for the Dragons who dismissed both openers, Kagiso Rapulana (3) and Ben Compton (0) in the opening two overs. Rapulana was caught at slip by Lubbe off the bowling of Migael Pretorius (3/16) whilst Compton hit a Senuran Muthusamy delivery straight to Lesego Senokwane at mid-wicket.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

The Tuskers recovered initially, but just as it looked like it was too much to ask, up stepped the Dragons captain to change the course of the match. Lubbe instigated the slump with his off-spinner, as he took four wickets in as any overs. Michael Erlank (43 off 56 balls) smashed a ball straight to Lesiba Ngoepe at short cover. Lubbe then also accounted for Alindile Mhletywa (0), Tian Koekemoer (0) as well as Malcolm Nofal (2). The visitors from Pietermaritzburg went from 78/3 to 82/6 and suddenly the Dragons were in the driver’s seat.

Migael Pretorius also chipped in with the crucial wickets of Pite van Biljon for 5 and Dilivio Ridgaard for a duck as the Dragons inched closer to victory.

Muthusamy trapped Keith Dudgeon LBW for 10 (26) and then in the next over, Lubbe rattled the stumps to clinch their first CSA 4-day division 1 victory.

Earlier on the Dragons’ made 282/8 in their second innings with Lubbe (59 off 138 balls) and Muthusamy (82* off 137 balls) putting on two match winning knocks under pressure. The Tuskers left arm spinner, Malcolm Nofal (5/114)  was the best bowler for his side.
The Dragons had a small lead of 57 at the start of the day, but they managed to stretch it to 221.

In the end that was more than enough as smart captaincy, aggressive tactics and a determined team effort took the Dragons from tangible anxiety to sheer delight in the space of 90 odd overs on a memorable final day. History was also made, as the Dragons won their first CSA Four Day cup match in their third season in division 1.

A sweeter and more memorable way to break the duck could not have been scripted.

The win pushes the Dragons to second place on the log after three matches on 50.36 points, just behind the Warriors on 59.74 points.

Summarised scorecard:

NW Dragons (first innings): 431 all out

• Lesiba Ngoepe: 79 (84)
• Rubin Hermann: 78 (121)
• Grant Mokoena: 74 (97)
• Keith Dudgeon: 6/102 (18)

KZN Inland Tuskers (first innings): 492 all out

• Ben Compton: 170 (266)
• Michael Erlank: 102 (205)
• Migael Pretorius: 5/99 (27)

NW Dragons (second innings): 282/8 declared

• Senuran Muthusamy: 82* (132)
• Grant Mokoena: 68 (135)
• Wihan Lubbe: 59 (137)
• Malcolm Nofal: 5/114 (35)

KZN Tuskers (second innings): 106 all out

• Michael Erlank: 43 (56)
• Wihan Lubbe: 5/20 (9.2 overs)
• Migael Pretorius: 3/16 (10 overs)
• Senuran Muthusamy: 2/27 (14 overs)