Twitter Reactions: Tshwane Spartans win by 1 run in what was a thrilling finish

Paarl Rocks played hosts to Tshwane Spartans in the second game of the doubleheader on Sunday. On a flat track, batsmen from both the teams put up some great display. Over 400 runs were scored in the match. However, it was the Tshwane Spartans who held onto their nerves in this humdinger of a game. They managed to defend 13 runs in the last over and won the game just by one run.

The openers launch a terrific attack to help post a big total

The Tshwane Spartans had their plans give going into this game. Taking into account the experiences from the last match, they took the attack onto the bowlers after being put into bat first. The top three went bonkers and were smashing the cricket ball all around the park. In the first 10 overs, the openers added 101 runs. Theunis de Bruyn, who made it into the XI was out first after accelerating his way to 66 off 38 balls.

AB de Villiers joined hands with Gihahn Cloete in the middle after this wicket. This duo too carried on with the assassin and 77 runs in 38 balls. The team score was 178/1 after 16 overs. However, the Paarl Rocks pulled things back beautifully in the last four overs. While Cloete was dismissed after scoring 80, the skipper got out for 32. DJ Bravo was clinical at the death and the Spartans were restricted to 203 runs which was still an intimidating total.

Cameron Delport’s efforts didn’t yield the desired result

The Paarl Rocks also followed a similar approach with the flat track assisting the stroke-makers. However, they kept losing wickets. Despite losing partners at the other end, opener Cameron Delport was lethal and took the attack on. He scored 73 runs off 43 balls before he was dismissed. Little cameos from the other batsmen helped get close to the target.

Things got really intense as it got into the last over of the game. 13 runs were to be scored and Andrew Birch was responsible to defend it. Four runs were scored off the first two deliveries. On the third ball, Dean Elgar pulled off an unbelievable effort to save a six. Only five runs were conceded off the last three balls resulting in a 1-run victory for the Tshwane Spartans. They were extremely lucky that the performance in the last few overs with the bat didn’t affect the result of the game.

Twitterati was left on the edge of their seats watching this nail-biting encounter. It was all praise for the top three batsmen from the Spartans’ side. Also, Birch was hailed for the terrific last over. There were some great messages put up for the winning side and it was a heartbreaking loss for the home team.

Here is how Twitterati reacted: