Skipper Faf du Plessis powers Dockers to convincing 31-run win over Cosmic

Faf du Plessis set the tone with the bat and Rotterdam Dockers finished the job with the ball, beating Glasgow Cosmic by 31 runs in the ETPL at Malahide.

In a contest of 19 overs per side, du Plessis’ 71 from 42 balls gave Rotterdam the platform they needed before their bowlers kept Glasgow under control to secure a comfortable victory.

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Glasgow won the toss and chose to field, but their decision was immediately tested when du Plessis took charge of the Dockers’ innings. Rassie van der Dussen departed first ball, yet the early setback barely slowed Rotterdam down. Du Plessis continued to find the gaps and punish loose deliveries, ensuring the Dockers remained on course for a sizeable total.

Michael Levitt added 19 from 28 balls before falling with Rotterdam on 59, bringing Vikramjit Singh into the middle. The pair then put together a crucial 57-run partnership, with Vikramjit providing the acceleration through two fours and two sixes. He eventually departed for 33 from 25 balls, but the groundwork for a strong finish had been laid.

James Neesham kept the chase alive with 28 from 17 balls

Du Plessis then took the innings deep before shifting gears. His 71 came from only 42 deliveries and included seven fours and three sixes, combining control with the attacking intent Rotterdam needed. Heinrich Klaasen took advantage of the platform in the closing overs, smashing an unbeaten 30 from 15 balls, including three sixes. David Wiese added an unbeaten eight from three deliveries as Rotterdam reached 172/4.

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Glasgow’s chase began at a furious pace. Jason Roy raced to 23 from 11 balls, while Moises Henriques struck 26 from just 13 deliveries, giving Cosmic early momentum. But Rotterdam repeatedly found a way to break partnerships before Glasgow could turn promising starts into a substantial chase.

Roy was dismissed with the score on 25, George Munsey followed at 43 and Henriques fell at 53, leaving Glasgow 53/3 after 5 overs. Liam Livingstone then made nine before another wicket fell, while Richie Berrington was dismissed for one as Rotterdam tightened their grip.

James Neesham briefly kept the chase alive with 28 from 17 balls, and Matthew Cross added 16 from 12, but Glasgow could not produce the sustained partnership required to challenge 173. Wickets continued to interrupt their progress, and the target increasingly moved out of reach.

Moises Henriques struck 26 from just 13 deliveries

The Dockers’ attack finished the job in style. Logan van Beek was the standout bowler with 3/19 from four overs, alongside Anrich Nortje, who also claimed three wickets, conceding 26. David Wiese added two wickets for 31 and Jai Moondra took one as Glasgow closed on 141/9.

For Rotterdam, it was a victory built around the influence of their captain. Du Plessis’ 71 provided the innings with its backbone, while Klaasen’s late assault pushed the total beyond 170. With the ball, van Beek, Nortje and Wiese ensured Glasgow never found the partnership needed to launch a serious comeback.

Du Plessis was named Player of the Match as the Dockers began their Malahide campaign with an important 31-run victory.