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The Highveld Lions took on Guyana in the 14th match of the Champions League T20 at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on the 19th of September. Guyana, who have looked in complete disarray throughout the tournament, recorded their third straight defeat and were completely outclassed by the side from South Africa. Batting first Guyana struggled to post a score of 148 in 20 overs for the loss of 9 wickets. The target was quite easily chased down by the Lions in 15.1 overs for the loss of just one wicket.

The Lions won the toss and put the opposition in to bat first. Ethan O'Reilly started the damage by picking up the early wicket of Travis Dowlin courtesy a rather fortuitous lbw decision given in favour of the bowler as the ball was bound to miss leg stump. Ramnaresh Sarwan walked into the middle and decided that attack was going to be the best form of defense. He hammered 21 runs off 16 balls at a strike rate of 131.25 before an amazing catch at point by Jean Symes sent the skipper, Sarwan, packing. Sewnaraine Chattergoon perished in the very next over to a delivery from O'Reilly and left Guyana in a spot of bother at 42-3.

A steady innings from Steve Jacobs got Guyana back on track, however, with wickets falling at the other end, Jacobs had to play a cautious hand, making 34 runs off 37 balls. Jacobs eventually fell to the bowling of Aaron Phangiso leaving the score at 88-5 in 13.2 overs. Guyana really needed Jacobs to stay in and step up the scoring rate but his departure meant that the team from the Caribbean would have to switch to a different game plan. Esuan Crandon's dismissal, run out, on the very next ball left Guyana staring at another sub par score. Jonathan Foo failed to impress yet again and scored just 9 runs before being castled by O'Reilly. Royston Crandon was looking good as he put together 15 runs off 11 balls before he was undone by the magic of O'Reilly as a fast yorker ripped apart the stumps. It was a late cameo from Lennox Crush of 19 from 10 balls that pushed Guyana's score to a respectable 148.

The Lions, who have been quite impressive with the bat in this tournament were expected to be able to chase down the target although the manner in which they did it was quite remarkable. Jonathan Vandiar and Alviro Petersen opened the innings for the Lions. Vandiar fell early after scoring just 8 runs as he top edged a delivery from Esuan to the keeper leaving the score at 16-1 in 2.4. What followed was an amazing display of batting and some ruthless hitting. Petersen who has led from the front right through the tournament got together with Richard Cameron to put on an unbeaten parternship of 133 runs in 12.3 overs to help the Lions coast to victory. Cameron was a real revelation in this game as he showed his powerful hitting ability. He batted fearlessly throughout the game and simply tore Guyana's bowling attack apart. Cameron dispatched the ball into the stands on six occasions and hammered five boundaries to score 78 runs off just 42 balls at a blistering strike rate of 185.71.

Petersen provided some perfect support to Cameron and played some shots of his own. The skipper displayed some graceful shot making and sweet timing to send the ball racing to the fence on six occasions and bludgeoned two deliveries for six to make 57 off 38 balls. Guyana's bowling attacked looked lacklustre and was far too inaccurate with a lot of width being offered to the batsmen on both sides of the wicket. Barnwell and Bishoo were the worst of the lot as they both gave away 30 runs each from the three overs that they each bowled. Petersen and Cameron took advantage of the inaccurate bowling and ensured that the Lions sailed through to victory in just 15.1 overs. Ethan O'Reilly was adjudged the man of the match as he took 4-27 in his quota of four overs.

The Lions added two points to their tally and also improved their net run rate by finishing the game early. They are in the hunt for the second semi-final berth and take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday, in what could be a virtual quarter-final. Guyana meanwhile would be anxious to get this disappointing series over and done with, and have one last chance to salvage some pride when they take on the table topping South Australian Redbacks on Tuesday.

Teams:

Guyana: Dowlin, Chattergoon, Sarwan, Jacobs, Barnwell, E.Crandon, Foo, R.Crandon, Christian, Cush, Bishoo

Lions: Vandiar, Petersen, Cameron, Symes, Jaarsveld, Bruyn, Tsolekile, Frylinck, Phangiso, Alexander, O'Reilly

Mini Scorecard:

Guyana 148 for 9 ( 20 overs, 7.40 runs per over)
Jacobs 34 (37)                       O'Reilly 4-27
Sarwan 21 (16)                      Phangiso 1-15

Highveld Lions 149 for 1 (15.1 overs, 9.82 runs per over)
Cameron 78 (42)                  Crandon 1-34
Petersen 57 (38)