Dafabet Warriors all-rounder JP King is confident they can build on their recent winning momentum as the CSA T20 Challenge nears its business end.
With only two rounds left in the competition, the Warriors took a giant step towards playoff qualification after overcoming the Auto Investments North West Dragons by 21 runs at St George’s Park on Saturday.
The win, their second in as many matches, takes them to 12 points after five rounds of matches.
And with only two rounds left in the tournament, their bid for a seat at the playoff table has received a considerable boost.
The young right-handed batter was in particularly solid form with the bat, scoring a career-best 61 runs from 33 balls.
His was one of two half-centuries for the hosts as Sinethemba Qeshile also notched up a best-ever 53 alongside 34 from Patrick Kruger as the Warriors posted 221 for five.
Chasing 222 for victory, only Janneman Malan, who scored an unbeaten 111, and Lesiba Ngoepe (41) made any significant contributions in their run chase as the Dragons ultimately finished on 200 for three.
“The ball was moving around a bit in the beginning, but once I got a few away, the pieces fell into place for me,” King said.
“It was a great win for the team because the Dragons came here unbeaten before this game, so it was an important result for the team, especially with the tournament being played over just a single round of fixtures.”
King, who claimed the bowler of the match for his figures of 1/31 in his four overs, commended the bowlers for their efforts in trying to restrict the visitors.
“It was a very good wicket [to bat on], there was not much turn, and perhaps a bit of swing in the first few overs but I feel it got better to bat on in the second innings and probably it skidded on a bit with the dew.
“I always felt confident that we had the bowlers to defend that score.
“Having the likes of Annas [Anrich Nortje] and Duanne [Olivier] in our attack, they are very good, experienced bowlers.
“We knew that it wasn’t going to be easy, but we have a good bowling lineup so I was always backing them to get us over the line,” King said.
The Warriors next travel to Paarl for a meeting against the Goldrush Boland on Wednesday at 6pm.
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