Day 1 of CSA U16 Boys Week stumped by bad weather, lightning
An exciting day of cricket at the CSA U16 Boys Week in Pretoria was curtailed by some unpleasant weather and lightning during the latter stages of the opening day.
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Free State‘s batting innings provided a major talking point as they amassed a breathtaking 416/6 in their allotted 50 overs against Kei.
Amongst the pile of runs, a trio of top-order batsmen stood just a tad taller than the rest, with Divan Bezuidenhout standing the tallest.
The Free State opener anchored the innings expertly, yet still batted at a brisk pace. He needed only 125 deliveries to complete an unbeaten 132, smashing 12 fours and one six. Bezuidenhout’s knock certainly set the innings up nicely for those to follow.
FG Botha and Daniel Hattingh took advantage of the rock-solid foundation, as they, too, brought up memorable centuries. Botha scored just three less than Bezuidenhout, but from 87 balls, and had Kei chasing leather with his 15 boundaries, which included 12 fours and three sixes.
Hattingh rubbed further salt into the worn-out Kei bowlers’ wounds, putting together a showcase of power-hitting and skill. The talented all-rounder used only 53 deliveries to score his 118 runs, 70 of which consisted of boundaries and included seven fours and seven sixes.
Hendre Serfontein and Dumisani Johnson then went on to claim two wickets each, as Kei found themselves in trouble at 74/7 when bad weather halted play. A dominant all-round performance meant that Free State claimed a 284-run victory as decided by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
The Titans also sealed an important victory over Boland, successfully chasing down a revised target to claim a six-wicket victory before play could be suspended for a second time. Affies’ Vihan Pretorius led the way with the willow, chipping in with a top score of 43 runs.
Pretorius, nevertheless, owes a thank you to the bowlers, especially Armin Snyman (3/25) and Layton Pullen (3/28), who kept Boland to a below-par total, which in turn helped their cause when it came to the DLS calculation.
The match between the Tuskers and the Garden Route Badgers was the only match to finish without any disruption. It was, however, one the Badgers would dearly like to shrug off before the second day’s play, as their batting let them down. Although there were some dicey shots by the side from the South Western Districts, it takes nothing away from the special performance from Tuskers’ leg-spinner, Liam O-Dweyer.
Bowling just under seven overs, O-Dweyer snapped up six wickets in a matter of minutes, while conceding only five runs, to bowl at less than a run to the over. That performance enabled his batsmen, led by Obakeng Motsepa (36), to chase down with relative ease the 86 runs required for a comfortable seven-wicket victory.
North West downed Northern Cape, cruising to a 39-run victory, also via the DLS method and thanks to a hat-trick of half-centuries by their top-order batsmen. The contributions by Lukas Kotza (69), Andre Dreyer (67) and Alebineng Scott (51) enabled them to reach a competitive total of 254/6 in the allotted 50 overs.
Easterns also enjoyed a successful first day, courtesy of the efforts of all-rounder Stephan Vermaak and top-order batsman Ethan Cotze. Cotze’s contribution of 56 runs set the tone, while Vermaak shone with the ball, collecting three of the four Northern Cape wickets before play was called. His three scalps proved vital as it eventually meant that his side would reign superior by 56 runs.
Eastern Province handed the Central Gauteng Lions their first defeat of the week, claiming a seven-run victory via the DLS method. Connor Parry (41*) and Markus Potgieter (21*) both deserve a pat on the back, as their 82-run partnership, following a wonderful bowling display from teammate, Rhys Wiblin (3/35), saw them across the line.
The matches between Western Province and the Dolphins, and the Limpopo Impalas and Eastern Cape Iinyathi, were abandoned due to the inclement weather.
Western Province, however, found themselves in a commanding position after some proper batting by Michael Kruiskamp, who top-scored with 78 runs, and Muhammad Ameen Schroeder‘s entertaining 66. The lanky figure of Michail Tarentaal followed that up with a good return of 3/7.
Taine Havemann was the shining light with the ball for the Dolphins, as he kept the WP batsmen on their toes to eventually walk away with figures of 4/46.
Limpopo would’ve felt somewhat hard done by, as they, too, were in a favourable position to claim a first victory at this year’s week. All-rounder Stephan Swanepoel shrugged off his disappointment with the bat with an impressive return of 4/15 with the ball and would be wondering what could’ve been if play had continued.
Summarised scorecards
Free State 416/6 (Divan Bezuidenhout 132*, FG Botha 129, Daniel Hattingh 118; Sanele Mphathelwa 2/39); Kei 74/7 (Sinakekele Sele 26*; Hendre Serfontein 2/14, Dumisani Johnson 2/19). Free State won by 284 (DLS method).
Boland 189/9 (Francois Prins 56, Buhle Mfunelwa 51; Armin Snyman 3/25, Layton Pullen 3/28); Titans 134/4 (Vihan Pretorius 43, Timothy Gordon 30, Khumo Kgagodi 23*; Aden Batt 3/32). The Titans won by six wickets (DLS method)
Garden Route Badgers 85 (Daniel du Plessis 51; Liam O’Dwyer 6/5); Tuskers 87/5 (Obakeng Motsepa 36*, Ben Wilson 25; Lastio Williams 1/19). Tuskers won by seven wickets.
North West 254/6 (Lukas Kotze 69, Andre Dreyer 67, Olebogeng Scott 51, Sihle Duhme 23; Hanru Rademeyer 2/17, Carl Thole 2/38); Northern Cape 80/4 (Faizaan Kajee 26; Olefa Padi 1/17). North West won by 39 runs (DLS method).
Easterns 223/8 (Ethan Kotze 56, Sohil Jagnath 35*, Aiden Shaw 32, Melusi Mgidi 32; Eduan Strydom 3/27, Herman Potgieter 2/26, Umair Cheema 2/32); Mpumalanga 53/4 (Extras 20, Herman Potgieter 10; Stephan Vermaak 3/7). Easterns won by 56 runs (DLS method).
Central Gauteng Lions 195 (Ombesa Matsha 58, Bafana Mthunzi 40; Rhys Wiblin 3/35, Sulaymaan Gangat 2/44); Eastern Province 91/3 (Connor Parry 41*, Markus Potgieter 21*; Kyle Butler 1/6). Eastern Province won by seven runs (DLS method).
Western Province 235/9 (Michael Kruiskamp 78, Muhammad Ameen Schroeder 66, Taine Havemann 4/46, Litha Gonya 2/24, Kyle McGough 2/46); Dolphins 58/6 (Kressan Pillai 31*; Michail Tarentaal 3/7). Match abandoned due to lightning.
Limpopo Impalas 239 (Tiaan Haasbroek 42, Talenta Ndlovu 39, JP Botha 39, Jaco van der Westhuyzen 33, Ruben Pohl 23; Avethanda Manyongo 2/36, Ambese Linda 2/39, Matt Hendry 2/42); Eastern Cape Iinyathi 118/5 (Josh Wilky 57, Ambese Linda 31; Stephan Swanepoel 4/15). Match abandoned due to lightning.
