Brooker, Stolk and Van der Merwe scores centuries in Bloemfontein
The annual Grey Cricket Festival saw three centuries during the first day in Bloemfontein. The first round of matches during the festival is being played over two days in the time-cricket format.
The three centurions were Jaydon Brooker (Jeppe), Steve Stolk (Menlopark), and Diaan van der Merwe (Potchefstroom Volkskool). Some teams struggled a bit with the format while others embraced it.
It was without a doubt a great idea to introduce this two-day format into the annual festival.
All the matches of the festival are being live-streamed via the SuperSportSchools platform.
The hosts, Grey College, have their opponents Selborne College with their backs against the wall after the first day’s play.
Grey College was bowled out for 272 in their first innings with RJ Fourie (75) and Ricu van der Bergh (67) weighing in with half-centuries.
Selborne only managed 63 runs before being bundled out with Juan Viljoen (4/23) and Ian van der Merwe (3/8) troubling the batsmen from East London. Selborne will continue their second innings tomorrow at 19 without loss with Jared Nass (13) and Jacques van der Merwe (6*) at the crease.
Jeppe High School for Boys’ Jaydon Brooker (140) recorded a century as his side reached 245 in their match against St Andrews of Bloemfontein on Vossies Oval. Brooker faced 143 deliveries in his innings of which he dispatched 22 past the boundary rope of which one was a maximum.
Saints got bowled out for only 89 in their first innings and will continue their second innings at 11/0 tomorrow morning. Jeppe’s Jeremiah Marshall was the pick of his side’s bowling attack as he got rid of four batsmen for only 21 runs.
Menlopark declared their first innings closed at 305/9 against Glenwood High School with Steve Stolk (143) recording a massive century. Stolk faced 144 deliveries of which he struck 13 fours and six sixes.
Glenwood was 50/2 at the close of play.
Potchefstroom Volkskool‘s opening batsman Diaan van der Merwe (103*) helped to lay a solid foundation for his side to declare their first innings at 234/7 against Durban High School.
The latter were struggling at 49/6 at the close of play on Day 1. Kobus Pienaar (3/14) and Diwan Coetzee (2/1) caused them all sorts of problems.
Grey High School’s Jordan Strydom (86*) and Caleb Falconer (69*) will continue their third-wicket stand of 159 runs against King Edward VII in the morning. KES was restricted to 188 in their innings with Jordan Smith (75*) and Nhlanhla Mahlangu (40) providing the most resistance.
Summarised Scorecards:
Grey College first innings 272 (RJ Fourie 75, Ricu van der Bergh 67, Sumu Lephoto 35, Armand Fourie 25, Casper Troskie 25; Thomas Marais 4/52, Bungqina Nuk 2/40, Ethan Currin 2/59); Selborne College first innings 63 (Ethan Currin 20; Juan Viljoen 4/23, Ian van der Merwe 3/8, Kumo Mokoen 2/2); Selborne College second innings 19/0 (Jared Nass 13*).
King Edward VII first innings 188 (Jordan Smith 75*, Nhlanhla Mahlangu 40; Ben Ristow 3/22, Kaden Titus 2/20, Xander Elkington 2/45); Grey High School first innings 184/2 (Jordan Strydom 86*, Caleb Falconer 69*; Ruwan Kourie 2/26).
St Andrews first innings 89 (FG Botha 32; Jeremiah Marshall 4/21, Matthew Costa 2/9, Luke Cannon 2/12); Jeppe High School for Boys first innings 245 (Jaydon Brooker 140, Kyle Jackson 28; JC Young 4/87, Connor Nel 2/30, Schalk Liebenberg 2/47); St Andrews second innings 11/0 (Naude Botha 9*).
Menlopark first innings 305/9 (Steve Stolk 143, Pierre de 43, Tian Serfontein 24*, Ben Strydom 21, Extras 20;Zandre de 3/67, Kyle Bryan 2/60, Bandile Mbatha 2/63); Glenwood 50/2 (Nathan Moodley 17*, Slade Locke 14; Gerhard Engelbrecht 1/8).
Potchefstroom Volkskool 234/7 (Diaan van der Merwe 103*, Louis van Wyk 42*, Attie Liebenberg 39, Extras 21; Joshua Botha 2/32); Durban High School 49/6 (Sfundo Mthemba 16; Kobus Pienaar 3/14, Diwan Coetzee 2/1).
