Bird smashed eight fours and seven sixes in his 46-ball innings to set up the Knights’ 54-run victory at the LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria.

The opener dominated a 125-run opening partnership with Gihahn Cloete before falling three runs short of a century off the final delivery of the 12th over. Cloete contributed 41 off 34 balls as the Knights posted 206-6.

Wian Ruthven added 20 off 10 deliveries and Cole Abrahams finished unbeaten on 29 off 15. Markus Bakker was the standout SA Emerging bowler, taking 4-33 from his four overs.

The hosts slipped to 63-4 in reply, with Dane Piedt removing Kamo Phiri for 30 and Jason Rowles for eight. Vihan Pretorius made 46 and Bakker added 27, but their 59-run fifth-wicket partnership could not bring the target within reach.

Tiaan van Vuuren dismissed both batters to finish with 2-27, while Piedt claimed 2-29 as SA Emerging ended on 152-6.

At the Wanderers, Zubayr Hamza and Rassie van der Dussen led the Lions to an eight-wicket win over Northern Cape Heat with 48 balls remaining.

Chasing 138, the Lions raced to 83-1 after six overs. Connor Esterhuizen struck 19 off seven balls before Hamza and Van der Dussen added 96 for the second wicket.

Hamza hit five fours and three sixes in his 31-ball 52 before being bowled by Tshepo Ntuli. Van der Dussen remained unbeaten on 47 off 25 deliveries, with Mitchell van Buuren contributing 13 not out as the Lions reached 139-2 in 12 overs.

Earlier, Codi Yusuf took 2-16 and Nqaba Peter 2-27 to restrict the Heat to 137-5. Steve Stolk top-scored with 35, Kyle Jacobs made 34 and Jordan Neill finished unbeaten on 30.

Photo: Knights Cricket