Andries Gous Masterclass Powers Castle Rockers to Inaugural ETPL Title

The Edinburgh Castle Rockers were crowned the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) champions after securing a seven-wicket victory over the Belfast Wolves at Malahide, Dublin.

Belfast Set 150: After opting to bowl first, Edinburgh kept Belfast to 150/5 in 20 overs. Tim Tector top-scored for Belfast with 84 off 62 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes), partnering with Devon Conway (29) after the early loss of Paul Stirling.  

Disciplined Bowling: Trent Boult led the Edinburgh attack with 2/21, supported by economical spells from Tom Curran (1/33), Mark Watt (1/21), and JJ Smuts (1/22) to restrict Belfast's middle order. Early Flurry: Ross Adair got Edinburgh's chase off to a fast start in the powerplay with a 14-ball 23 before being dismissed by Mark Adair.  

Gous' Match-Winning Knock: Player of the Match Andries Gous anchored the chase with an unbeaten 90 off 61 balls (8 fours, 4 sixes). He compiled vital stands with JJ Smuts (15) and Brandon McMullen (17) to keep the target within easy reach.  

Even when Castle Rockers slowed down, it was Gous who ended the boundary drought. Two boundaries off Hoey in the 13th over brought Castle Rockers back as he got to fifty off 36 balls. Gous launched Maxwell for four more in the 15th over and effectively killed the contest and Wolves' hopes by taking Jordan for 11 runs in the 16th over.

The chase finished with Gous going 6, 4 off Maxwell, as Jordan watched the ball sail over his head and then fumbled to allow four. Castle Rockers were champions, as Wolves were left to rue a lack of runs.

Title Sealed: Edinburgh reached 151/3 with eight balls remaining in the 19th over, with Gous staying at the crease alongside captain Mitchell Santner to wrap up the inaugural ETPL trophy.

Edinburgh Castle Rockers 151 for 3 (Gous 90*, R Adair 23, Humphreys 1-29) beat Belfast Wolves 150 for 5 (Tector 84, Conway 29, Boult 2-21, Smuts 1-19) by seven wickets