Maqonda Ndlovu
The 2023 Richelieu T20 Franchise tournament has produced some exhilarating matches over the past few weeks, and the competition for the two spots in the finals is heating up.
The first match of the tournament kicked off on 15 September at the United Cricket Grounds, pitting the Windhoek Jets against the Namib Desert Lions. The Jets won that match by 24 runs, with Divan La Cock top scoring with 43 runs from 43 balls.
The following day, the Etosha Wildcats accounted for the Fish River Eagles by five wickets in their first match before accounting for the Jets by eight wickets in their second game of the day and tournament.
Michael Van Lingen top scored with 59 runs, not out from 49 balls.
On Sunday, 17 September, Jets played against the River Eagles and won by 23 runs before the Wildcats beat the Desert Lions by 42 runs.
On Wednesday, 20 September, the Wildcats beat the Desert Lions by 10 runs before the Lions recovered to beat the River Eagles by nine wickets the following day.
The Jets then beat the Wildcats by four wickets to boost their chances of finishing in the top two.
On Friday, 22 September, the River Eagles beat the Jets by eight wickets as Jean Du Plessis produced a batting masterclass, hitting 93 off 59 balls.
The Desert Lions beat the Jets by seven wickets, while the Wildcats beat the River Eagles by 18 runs.
Going into yesterday’s final league match between the River Eagles and the Desert Lions, the Wildcats are at the top of the log with 10 points, having won five of their six matches, followed by the Jets, who have six points and will be hoping for a River Eagles victory in order for them to play in the final.
The River Eagles are at the bottom of the log with a single victory, while in third place, the Desert Lions have four points, and a dominating victory will see them jump into second and play in the final later on during the day.