CENTURION: Warriors produced a clinical display and defeated South Australia Redbacks comprehensively by 40 runs to storm into the final of the Champions League Twenty20 here today. Riding on captain Davey Jacobs' blistering 61 and his 105-run second-wicket stand with Colin Ingram (46), Warriors posted a challenging 175 for six and then restricted South Australia to 145 for seven to register a comfortable win in the second semifinal at the SuperSport Park.
Warriors will take on Chennai Super Kings in the final at the Wanderers tomorrow. The Indian Premier League champions had earlier beaten fellow IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore by 52 runs via Duckworth Lewis method in the rain-marred first semifinal last night.
Earlier, opting to bat, Jacobs led from the front with the quick-fire half century and together with Ingram set the tone for the competitive score with the century plus second-wicket partnership that came off just 72 balls. Jacobs quickfire 41-ball innings was decorated with 10 boundaries and a six, while Ingram struck three fours and a six during his stay.
Nicky Boje came up with a short little seven-ball 22 run unbeaten cameo in the end to take Warriors beyond the 170-run mark. Medium-pacer Daniel Harris pulled South Australia back into the match with figures of three for 18 from his four overs, while Shaun Tait scalped two victims for 37.
South Australia's chase never got going as they lost wickets upfront to find themselves in a precarious position and eventually fell short by 30 runs. Callum Ferguson fought a losing cause for South Australia with a quickfire 71 that came off just 49 balls but his heroics were not enough to take his side into the summit clash.
For Warriors Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Johan Botha picked up two wickets apiece, giving away 16 and 34 runs respectively. Defending the target, Tsotsobe struck twin blows in the fourth over to send South Australia in the back foot.
Tsotsobe got Daniel Harris and dangerman Michael Klinger in a span of four deliveries to give his side the upper hand. Harris was the first to depart as he top-edged one to Mark Boucher behind the stumps and then Klinger picked up Johan Botha at deep midwicket two balls later.
If that was not enough, Boje caught Graham Manou off his own bowling and then in the next over Cameron Borgas was caught by Jacobs off Botha.