Shepherd, Joseph foil Capitals 

Romario Shepherd
Romario Shepherd

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, CMC – West Indies fast bowlers Romario Shepherd and Alzarri Joseph each grabbed a brace of wickets as Joburg Super Kings brilliantly defended 168 to hand Pretoria Capitals their first defeat of the SA20 here yesterday.

With 10 runs required from the final over at The Wanderers, Shepherd (2-28) knocked over Adil Rashid (8) and Anrich Nortje (0) with the final two deliveries to earn Super Kings a narrow six-run victory.

English opener Phil Salt (29), New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham (24) and uncapped South African all-rounder Shane Dadswell (22) led the chase but the last four wickets perished for 16 runs in the space of 15 balls at the end.

Salt belted four fours and a six in a 15-ball cameo, putting on 30 for the first wicket with Will Jacks who made 16 before Joseph (2-34) removed his off-stump in the fourth over.

Joseph struck again with the very next ball, getting Rilee Rossouw to edge behind without scoring before Salt and Theunis de Bruyn (18) added 29 to patch up the innings.

Left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso then tore through the middle order to leave Capitals 116 for six in the 14th over and captain Wayne Parnell (19 not out) and Eathan Bosch’s (15) efforts in a 30-run, seventh wicket stand fell short.

Leus du Plooy had earlier stroked an unbeaten 75 from 40 deliveries, crunching seven fours and five sixes  in a 73-run, second wicket stand with Reeza Hendricks (45) who had earlier put on 45 for the first wicket with captain Faf du Plessis (27).