A trip to Zanzibar as first prize for the winning team and their partners was enough incentive to turn the third Discovery Health Knock-out Challenge into a huge success and a concept that South African cricket authorities can do well to look into.

Northern Titans won the trophy and the tickets by beating the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins in a tremendous final that had the spectators on their feet as they witnessed a run feast off the bats of Dale Benkenstein and Jacques Rudolph.

A good innovation by the organizers was the fitting of communication systems to the umpires and captains whereby the television and roving commentators could discuss certain aspects and strategies with the men in the middle.

Each bowler is allowed a maximum of four overs, with fielding restrictions in the first eight overs allowing only two players outside the inner circle, the second eight overs only four players, and in the last four overs five fielders are allowed in the outfield.

KwaZulu-Natal v Northerns – Final

With KwaZulu-Natal beating a strong Western Province team and the hosts, Northerns, beating their Johannesburg neighbours Gauteng the final started with the visitors winning the toss and deciding to set a target.

KwaZulu-Natal suffered an early setback when Ashraf Mall had to retire hurt after being struck on the helmet by Steve Elworthy and had to leave the field. With Ahmed Amla trapped in front first ball and Jon Kent getting run out the Dolphins innings was balanced on a fine edge.

Tactical field and bowling changes by Northerns captain Gerald Dros kept the pressure on the visitors who battled hard to get the run rate above six per over.

There is nothing like experience and a good cricket brain, and this was proved when Errol Stewart joined Benkenstein at the crease and together they wrestled the initiative away from Northerns with a magnificent 87 run partnership in 40 balls, of which Stewart only contributed an undefeated 17.

Benkenstein ended the innings with his sixth six, to go to his hundred and KwaZulu-Natal to 159/4. The Dolphins captain ended undefeated on 102 off 55 balls including six fours and six sixes.

Rudolph and Johan Myburg started the Northerns innings off in fine style bringing up the 50 partnership up in just 31 balls. Two dropped catches by the Dolphins did not make things any easier but an edge from Myburg on 17 had Northerns losing the first wicket on 61 after 6.5 overs. The foundation had been laid and Northerns in the pound seats.

With the 100 coming up in 11 overs and nine wickets in hand, Northerns were well on their way to the trophy and Zanzibar. A wicket and what should have been a Rudolph run out when Imran Khan dropped the ball in taking the bails off nearly spoiled the party for the hosts.

Rudolph was not perturbed and together with Dros took Northerns to a magnificent eight wicket win with a brilliant undefeated 103 off 54 balls including 15 fours and four sixes.

A superlative day's cricket, which entertained the spectators and will surely bring them back to SuperSport Park in the near future. A feather in the cap of both the sponsors and the Northerns Cricket Union.

Northerns won by eight wickets

KwaZulu-Natal 159/4 (20ov), D Benkenstein 102* (55), D Watson 18 (25), E Strewart 17* (12), Ashraf Mall 11 (15).

Northerns 160/2 (15.4ov), J Rudolph 103 (54), G Dros 22 (9), J Myburg 17 (22), M van Jaarsveld 11 (10).

Northerns v Gauteng – Match 2

Gauteng won the toss and decided to bat first against Northerns in the second match with the knowledge that the winner would meet KwaZulu-Natal in the late afternoon final.

Losing Adam Bacher and Daryll Cullinan cheaply did nothing for the Gauteng cause. A quick flurry from Marthinus Otto, hitting four sixes in his 34 off 14 balls, and a partnership between new boy Greg Smith and Clive Eksteen helped the visitors to claw their way to an unimpressive 121/7.

At just over six runs to the over Northerns looked to the likes of Rudolph, Martin van Jaarsveld and Dross to take them to the final.

Rudolph it was, lucky to get away with a stumping chance when Matthew Harris dropped the ball, who took Northerns to the brink of a close but controlled win. Scoring an excellent 68 off 56 balls he was caught on the boundary with four runs required for the win.

Northerns won by four wickets.

Gauteng 121/7 (20ov), M Otto 34 (14), G Smith 21 (25), C Eksteen 13 (11), W Dugmore 13 (19), A Bacher 12 (13), P Joubert 3-28, S Abrahams 2-18,

Northerns 122/6 (18.5ov), J Rudolph 68 (56), G Dross 19 (17), C Eksteen 4-24

KwaZulu-Natal v Western Province – Match 1

Defending champions, KwaZulu-Natal, moved into the final by convincingly beating Western Province in the first 20 over match of the morning.

Western Province won the toss and sent KwaZulu-Natal in to bat. Three wickets in four balls from Charl Willoughby put KwaZulu-Natal under early pressure that they struggled to recover from. Ending the 20 overs on 144/8 they have left Province a reasonably easy target and a possible early exit out of the tournament.

Western Province started their chase of the 145 run target scoring quickly but also losing four quick wickets, two each to Nixon McLean and Ross Veenstra. Wickets not a major concern in a 20 over match, provided you do not lose too many and that the remaining batsmen keeps the scoreboard ticking over.

This was not the case for Western Province, continually losing wickets, they bungled the chase to get bowled out for 96 in 15.5 overs and an early return to Cape Town.

KwaZulu-Natal won by 49 runs.

KwaZulu-Natal 144/8 (20ov), G Bodi 43 (31), D Watson 30 (43), D Benkenstein 17 (14), N McLean 17 (12), E Stewart 14 (9), C Willoughby 3-19, N Johnson 2-27, C Henderson 2-35.

Western Province A Puttick 24 (25), C Henderson 17 (9), A Dawson 14 (8), A Prince 12 (19), M de Stadler 12 (9), I Khan 4-18, N McLean 2-6

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