Standard Bank Pro20 final calls after magnificent semi-final victory

Jubilation erupted in the Eastern Cape last night as the Chevrolet Warriors produced a stunning victory that drew on the very deepest determination of the players.  The win last night means that the Chevrolet Warriors will play in the Standard Bank Pro20 final at Axxess DSL St. George's in Port Elizabeth on Friday 12 March 2010.  Although they will only find out who their opposition is for the final on Friday when the Nashua Titans take on the bizhub Highveld Lions in their second semi-final, the Chevrolet Warriors will be hard at work honing their skills for the match.

In last night's action, the Chevolet Warriors won the toss and elected to bat hoping to set a competitive total in the "Snake Pit".  They were soon left with their backs against the wall as wickets fell in quick succession, leaving them on a worrying 63/6 in the 11^th over.  Craig Thyssen and Johan Botha provided the Chevrolet Warriors with a slight sigh of relief as the two batted the Warriors back into contention with an unbeaten 58-run partnership off 6.2 overs.  The Chevrolet Warriors closed their innings on 121/6 with Ashwell Prince (25 off 27 balls), Johan Botha (29 off 27) and Craig Thyssen (27 off 18) performing best.

It was going to come down to a matter of tight bowling and secure fielding for the Chevrolet Warriors and the team did not disappoint.  Robin Peterson, the star batsman for the Nashua Cape Cobras in the last semi-final, was first to go for the Nashua Cape Cobras when he was caught for 6 by Davy Jacobs off the bowling of Rusty Theron in the second over.  Herschelle Gibbs followed the trail to the dressing room in the next over thanks to great bowling by Makhaya Ntini.  The Cobras recovered slightly thanks to Andrew Puttick and Justin Ontong's partnership of 53 but a batting collapse ensued after Puttick lost his wicket.  The Nashua Cape Cobras fell to 67/5 which left them in deep trouble.  They fought back valiantly towards the end of the innings and needed 22 runs off the last over for victory.  Another good final over by Rusty Theron clinched the game for the Chevrolet Warriors to win by 10 runs and send them into the final.  Makhaya Ntini (2/12) and Rusty Theron (2/29) stood out as the Warriors' best bowlers.

With last night's victory, the Chevrolet Warriors not only progress to the Standard Bank Pro20 final but have also secured a spot in the ACLT20 due to be played in September.

Well done to the entire Chevrolet Warriors team!