Twitter Reactions: NMB Giants hand Jozi Stars their second successive defeat

The Jozi Stars are still searching for their first win in the tournament, having lost their second game as well to Nelson Mandela Bay Giants. The Giants chipped in with a stellar all-round performance and besides a partnership between Reeza Hendricks and Temba Bavuma, Stars were never in the game.

The Giants lost Jason Roy very early in the innings, putting them under severe pressure. Skipper Smuts too couldn’t survive for a long period of time in the middle, which saw the side getting reduced to 22/2. Matthew Breetzke showed some of his exploits in the powerplay and got himself some runs, but was dismissed just before the first-six overs were about to finish.

Ben Dunk was next to be dismissed, which reduced the team to 48/4 inside 7 overs. Just when the team needed a partnership, Farhan Behardien and Heino Kuhn chipped in with a much-needed performance. They collected important runs courtesy some smart batting and got back some control towards the final overs.

Chris Morris provided a brilliant finish to the innings with an 11-ball 20, which helped the Bay Giants register 167 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers for the Stars, who returned with figures of 2/27.

Morris and Tahir shine with the ball

Despite not getting a big score with the bat, Smuts made a huge contribution with the ball, dismissing Chris Gayle before he could set himself in. Skipper Temba Bavuma and Reeza Hendricks stitched an important partnership to keep the Stars firmly in the game, scoring boundaries at will.

Hendricks kept smashing the occasional boundary to keep the team in check with the required rate. Chris Morris and Imran Tahir bowled a couple of tight overs in the middle which kept adding pressure on them to score quickly and eventually, their batting order collapsed like a pack of cards.

It all started with Junior Dala picking up Temba Bavuma’s wicket in the 16th over and runs dried up after that. Rassie van der Dussen and Daniel Christian’s aggressive presence in the middle order wasn’t good enough. Morris and Tahir showed all their experience with the ball, thus making the Stars’ batsmen struggle for runs in the end.

The Jozi Stars eventually fell 24 runs short of the target, with Junior Dala picking up two wickets and Morris, Tahir and JJ Smuts picking a wicket each for the Giants.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to this solid all-round performance from the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants.

Jozi Stars gotta make some changes. #MSL2019

— bjrnrkstr (@bjrnrkstr) November 10, 2019

Congratulations @NMB_Giants

Boys, let's go back to the drawing board @msljozistars #MSLT20 #MSL2019

— Kutlwano (@GwinchS_) November 10, 2019

What value has Gayle added to the team?? Temba can even open on the next game 😭#MSL2019

— #MubiGang – 31/08🎈 (@SirEmanuelKing) November 10, 2019

Really disappointing performance by the @msljozistars. Very little intent in the middle overs cost us the game. #MSL2019 #GiantsVStars

— Ivan Henn (@IvanHnn) November 10, 2019

One reason I've never liked Reeza is that as much as he scores a lot of runs, he puts his team under pressure by wasting deliveries. Why 62 from 58 when you've been batting with wickets in hand? Really selfish player on my opinion.#MSL2019

— Yonela (@YonelaNd11) November 10, 2019

Aajkal Lefties ko ho kya gaya hai? 🤷😂 #INDvBAN #MSL2019 pic.twitter.com/gj40Nck7sr

— Come On India 🙏🇮🇳 (@madam_jadeja) November 10, 2019

chris gayle is on holiday, he ain't do much for Jozi Stars 🙄

— birdie (@sne_neh) November 10, 2019

C Gayle Out 18 (19)

When Chris Gayle does not Play his Natural Game he failed Badly.

It's same with Ahmed Shehzad, Ahmed should play his natural game if he wants to Score Some runs.@iamAhmadshahzad

— W a s i f 🏏🔥 (@_cricketFreak) November 10, 2019

Yes Chris Gayle. Was about Time😤😤😤

— 3rd August❤ (@_Milli__) November 10, 2019

Lol Chris Gayle is calling for quick singles and looks like he's going to be run out each time!

— Luxolo Zim (@LuxoloZim) November 10, 2019