Crookes slip-up cost Easterns as Northerns win

Centurion: (January 7) - A crucial run-out involving Derek Crookes enabled the Northerns Titans to claim an 11-run victory over Easterns in their Standard Bank Cup match at Supersport Park on Sunday.

In the 40th over and with the visitors chasing the Titans' 264 for five, Easterns captain Deon Jordaan suffered a cramp and called on teammate Derek Crookes to act as his runner.

The visitors were on 223 for four at that stage, with Jordaan standing on a healthy 77. Jordaan could only watch in disbelief as Crookes embarked on a suicide mission that ended in a run-out by Pierre Joubert and effectively sunk what was looking like a very real chance at victory.

The result was an eventual Titans victory as Easterns ran out of overs on 253 for six.

Earlier in the day, Easterns won the toss and sent Northerns in to bat first.

Johann Myburgh and Jacques Rudolph combined superbly for an opening partnership of 156 before Myburgh was dismissed on 95, scored off 100 balls and featuring 12 fours and two sixes.

It was Myburgh's highest limited overs score in the domestic game.

Easterns' cause was given a boost by Mike Rindel's 62, and Jordaan and Crookes built on that with a third-wicket partnership of 74.

Crookes was dismissed whilst playing across the line of a delivery from Greg Smith, but Jordaan showed no signs of going that easily.

His captain's innings of 77 off 98 balls, including seven fours, was showing signs of maturing into a possible match-winning performance when that crucial run-out sparked the collapse.

Albie Morkel, who was starting to fire at the boundaries and helped significantly to bring the run rate down, was clean-bowled by Smith shortly after Jordaan was dismissed.

It proved a disappointing end to what at that stage was a real dogfight for victory, with even Titans stalwart Steve Elworthy feeling the pressure as he vented his anger on the fielding of his teammates and a few umpiring decisions.