Johannesburg – 6 March 2026:
The weather is one thing that the DP World Lions cannot control, but men’s team coach Russell Domingo is pleased that his batting line-up has fired in the two weather-affected CSA One-Day Cup matches they have played so far.
Our DP World Lions began their campaign last weekend with an excellent 15-run win over Western Province in a match interrupted by rain in both innings in Johannesburg, before travelling to Potchefstroom in midweek and unfortunately seeing their game against the Dragons washed out when they were in a good position.
But the six points from their two matches so far leaves #ThePrideOfJozi handily placed in third position on the log, a point behind the team from North-West. The team that tops the standings, the Warriors on eight points, now comes to the DP World Wanderers Stadium to take on the Lions on Friday.
It is obviously a key clash with first place at stake, and it is also a repeat of the amazing four-day series final that was played at the iconic stadium a fortnight ago, with the DP World Lions claiming an incredible come-from-behind victory. So Domingo and his charges are obviously hoping the weather improves as the same squad that saw off Western Province and did duty in Potchefstroom takes on the Warriors. Especially with the batting line-up looking in such good form. The DP World Lions have struggled for runs in the last two seasons of the 50-over competition, with centuries dearly lacking. But Zubayr Hamza has been moved up to open the batting this season, where he has flourished, and he ensured that #ThePrideOfJozi at least left Potchefstroom with their first hundred of the campaign on the board.
Hamza showed he has the ability to fit flawlessly into his new role as he stroked a gorgeous 115 not out off 121 balls. Wiaan Mulder was with him at the crease on 50 not out off 63 deliveries, and at 229 for three after 42 overs, our DP World Lions were perfectly placed for a commanding total of more than 300 when the rain came and ended the match.
“It was a slowish pitch so we thought that 300 would be a very good score, so it’s a pity about the weather, which has followed us around a bit the last week,” Domingo said. “Zubayr is a really good all-format player and I was very pleased to see him get a hundred. With him at the top, we’ve been starting very well and he batted nicely against Western Province too.”
The man of the match in the win over the Capetonians was Mitchell van Buuren who, considering what a lean time he has had lately in terms of playing opportunities, produced a great effort of 88 not out off 76 balls, punishing the bowlers with three fours and three sixes, but also plenty of skill, as he led the chase for our DP World Lions. Western Province were on 259 for seven after 42 overs when rain brought an end to their innings, leaving the home team with a DLS-revised target of 264 in 39 overs. Hamza set the tone up front with a cracking 46 off 38 deliveries, and Van Buuren then took over, adding 83 for the fourth wicket in 13.4 overs with Mulder (30) and then he and Connor Esterhuizen were racing our DP World Lions home with an unbeaten stand of 76 in just 9.2 overs when the match was stopped by rain. Esterhuizen’s pugnacious 39 not out off just 29 balls ensured #ThePrideOfJozi were 15 runs ahead on the DLS calculations.
The bowling effort was led by captain Bjorn Fortuin, who removed Proteas Tony de Zorzi and Kyle Verreynne with successive deliveries and went on to concede just 39 runs in his 10 overs. Paceman Codi Yusuf and leg-spinner Nqaba Peter each took two wickets as well. The last 50-over meeting between the DP World Lions and the Warriors in Johannesburg was a high-scoring affair which was won by the Eastern Province team thanks to an unbeaten 166-run seventh-wicket partnership. Patrick Kruger was the star that day with 135 not out off 90 balls, and he was also instrumental in the Warriors winning their first two games this season. So taking wickets in the middle-order is going to be important for our DP World Lions, with Yusuf as the strike bowler still on a high after his matchwinning burst was decisive on the final day of the CSA 4-Day Series final. Peter will also be a threat and Fortuin, while predominantly strangling the scoring rate, is also a wicket-taker.