Kane Williamson's maiden Twenty20 century - the fastest in Champions League history - lead the SKYCITY Northern Knights to a Duckworth Lewis-calculated 33 run win over South Africa's Cape Cobras in the Champions League Twenty 20 at the Chhattisgarh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur.
The Knights posted a formidable 206 from their 20 overs thanks to Williamson and a rollicking 67 from Anton Devcich, and were in control when the heavens opened to end the match.
The Knights lost the toss, were asked to bat, and openers Williamson and Devcich attacked from the off, beginning at over six runs an over and not taking their feet off the gas. Both men found the boundary with an array of shots, probing gaps in the field and going aerial, eventually bringing up 100 runs in the 11th over from just 63 balls. The pair survived a number of run out attempts as they looked to put pressure on the field.
Devcich was eventually run out for 67 from 46; Daniel Flynn went second ball without scoring, leaving BJ Watling to maintain the attack. He continued the momentum, plundering 32 from 20 balls before being caught by Stiaan van Zyl from Charl Langeveldt.
Scott Styris and Daryl Mitchell both went for first ball ducks, but Williamson was able to complete his first T20 century with a six in the last over from 48 balls. It was a superb innings stacked with a combination of proper cricket shots and power, featuring eight fours and five sixes, and cementing his reputation as the key batsmen in the Knights line up.
Trent Boult bowled van Zyl from the first ball of the Cobras innings with a vicious swinging delivery. Hashim Amla (20) and Robin Peterson (17) were making steady progress before Scott Kuggeleijn had key man Amla caught by the sub Brad Wilson.
The rain arrived in the eighth over and never let up, leaving the Cobras 33 runs behind on D/L. The Knights now top group B and look like they'll take some stopping.
The SKYCITY Northern Knights' next match is against the Hobart Hurricanes at 2.30am NZ time on Wednesday 24 September.
