Fain-Noordvaal semi-final a historic clash for Hoërskool Middelburg
Saturday, 2 November, will be a special day for Hoërskool Middelburg‘s 1st XI, regardless of the result of their Fain Noordvaal semi-final.
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The Middies face the tournament favourites, Hoërskool Waterkloof, in their first-ever trip to the final four.
Optimism about the Middies’ cricket programme is high, with some of the school’s top performers still having a number of years in the 1st XI ahead of them.
Gavin Genis has been his side’s best player throughout the year, even though he is in Grade 10. In the seven 50-over matches in which he has batted, the young all-rounder has scored a total of 456 runs at an impressive average of 76, hitting two centuries and three half-centuries.
He’s also stamped his authority with the ball, snapping up 22 wickets at an economy rate of 4.75. He’s bagged successive five-wicket hauls in his most recent outings. If Middies are to pull off a shock and upset Waterkloof, who boast a powerful batting lineup, the off-spinner will have to perform well with the ball.
Alongside Genis, in the bowling department, a lot will fall on the shoulders of Eduan Strydom. He’s developed a useful habit of snapping up wickets at just the right time. His stats also speak for themselves: he’s taken 25 wickets at just 3.9 runs per over.
Playing away from home is never as comfortable as playing at home, and the Klofies will be challenged by Hoërskool Middelburg’s lower and slower wicket. Waterkloof’s batsmen have, however, proved their adaptability, apart from in one game against a high-class spin bowling attack from Grey College in the Westvaal North-South T20 tournament.
Last week, they welcomed back from injury their best player of spin, captain Beukes van den Berg.
Divan Behrens will be oozing confidence after his fantastic 173 not out against Merensky Landbou Akademie last time out. He’s put together an outstanding 2024, tallying over 1 500 runs.
Left-arm spinner Marcus Bakker will, meanwhile, look forward to the assistance he will get from a slower wicket, which might also suit, Klofies’ unsung hero Ruan Ferreira.
Ferreira’s economical right-arm seam bowling has played an integral part in Waterkloof making early inroads into their opposition’s batting. His consistency and accuracy might just be the right combination for the wicket in Middelburg.
