Twitter Reactions: Skipper JJ Smuts' 73-run knock helps the Giants chase 187

The Cape Town Blitz, after pulling off a wonderful victory against the Durban Heat, have themselves to blame for the loss against Nelson Mandela Bay Giants. Their top-order provided them with a good start after they opted to bat first. However, none of their batsmen could go on to get big scores. Most of their batsmen got out in their 20s or 30s. Quinton de Kock scored 39 runs in just 18 balls to take the team off to a flyer.

The likes of Janneman Malan and Marques Ackerman scored 31 and 26 runs respectively. Liam Livingstone also got off to a start and scored 39 runs. However, none of their batsmen could stay in the middle until the end. The team should have easily got to a score in excess of 200. But they completely lost their way in the last five overs. In the end, they had to settle with 186/9 which seemed slightly below par.

JJ Smuts plays a captain’s knock

Nelson Mandela Bay Giants didn’t get off to the best possible start in the chase. Their openers Jason Roy and Matthew Breetzke were dismissed for 1 and 0 runs respectively. However, at this stage, JJ Smuts took the onus upon himself. He played a perfect captain’s knock and led his team from the front. The 31-year-old scored 73 runs off 51 balls before he got out. But before his dismissal, he managed to put his side in a good position so that they could complete the chase.

Towards the end, Marco Marais played a gem of a knock under pressure. He remained unbeaten on 40 runs off only 20 balls to take his team home with four balls and five wickets to spare. Chris Morris also played a good knock and remained unbeaten on 19 off 9 balls towards the end. Dale Steyn picked up two wickets and was one of the better bowlers in the innings. Every Blitz bowler conceded over 9 runs per over which was disappointing.

Twitterati enjoyed the efforts from JJ Smuts. The Cape Town Blitz fans, however, were extremely disappointed with the batting efforts. They felt that the batsmen should have applied themselves better and posted a bigger score on the board.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

JJ Smuts is one incredible batsman! #MSLT20

— #WattsUp (@clarencesdb) November 20, 2019

JJ Smuts performances in the #4DaySeries before the MSL began

280 runs in 4 matches at an average of 46.66

12 wickets with an average of 26.

CSA needs to keep this kind of experience in SA cricket

— TheCricketGuy (@Tim32_cricket) November 20, 2019

This is a big win for the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants!
Huge chase and in the end with balls to spare

Massive confidence booster

They are Certainly a good shout to make the next stage #MSLT20

— Natalie Germanos 🏏 (@NatalieGermanos) November 20, 2019

Wao! Fantastic match. Incredible performance by captain JJ Smuts & Marco Marais. #MSL2019 https://t.co/wkeAXDTEFo

— Amod (@Amod420) November 20, 2019

Marco Marais take a bow, great hitting against world class bowlers in Steyn and Wahab.

JJ Smuts was excellent as well #MSLT20

— TheCricketGuy (@Tim32_cricket) November 20, 2019

Real captains bat deep. JJ Smuts was crucial for the @NMB_Giants. #MSLT20

— Four6Out (@four6out) November 20, 2019

A batting masterclass shown here by JJ Smuts #MSLT20

— Made Man (@tpumlomo) November 20, 2019

JJ Smuts turning the heat up

— Obakeng (@RreBagre) November 20, 2019

JJ Smuts is always so consistent, win or lose, he’s generally just the most reliable. 👌🏽

— Poppy Ntshongwana (@PoppyIsMyName) November 20, 2019

JJ Smuts keeps on surviving 🤣 #mzansisuperleague

— Sibusiso Makhathini (@Budda_Mark) November 20, 2019

JJ SMUTS staring back at wahab like he’s Mitchell Johnson in the Ashes #MSLT20 #NMB #CTBlitz

— Ravi “The Heavy Roller” Reddy (@ravredd2009) November 20, 2019