Gauteng and the KZN teams flex their muscles at CSA u16 Boys Week
The Central Gauteng Lions stamped their authority on day two of the CSA 2023 u16 Boys Week, trouncing Boland after a dominant performance on the NMU Fields in George.
Both teams from KwaZulu-Natal remained unbeaten as well, setting up an exciting final group stage encounter between Gauteng and the KZN Inland boys to determine which side will top their pool before the T20 playoffs begin.
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Early on, Armaan Manack and Rushil Bhulla took the sting out of the Boland bowling attack with two solid innings to get the Lions into a good position, with Bhulla missing his half-century by a mere three runs after smashing six boundaries in a 92-ball stay.
The Lions’ total was bolstered further by Tahseen Hanslo‘s 39, before he was impressively run out by Owethu Moyi.
Neil Barnard and Zayd Abrahams snared three wickets apiece for Boland, but not before the boys from Gauteng had posted an imposing 225.
Corné Botha continued his fine bowling form from the first day, capturing 3/13. He combined well with Alec Loveland, who claimed two sticks, as the Boland line-up struggled to find a footing.
Boland Landbou’s Francois Prins played a fine innings of 54 in the face of a relentless bowling onslaught, but his team’s chase was ended, still 82 runs shy of the mark.
For the KZN Coastal team, Roxton Payne delivered with bat and ball to get his team over the line against the Titans.
Apart from contributing an unbeaten 27 at the crease, he also took a vital three wickets at a cost of only 10 runs.
Joshua van Biljon led the way with the bat for the victors, storming to 42 runs after a slow start by his side.
Following a solid win in their first match on the opening day, the Garden Route Badgers went down to Northern Cape after Hanru Rademeyer and Faizan Kajee turned the game for the visitors.
When the Badgers removed the first four Northern Cape batsmen for only 15 runs, it looked as if they might be able to defend their low total of 119, but Rademeyer’s 64 from 36 deliveries, which included eight sixes, quickly swung the momentum. With Kajee also contributing a confident unbeaten knock of 28 from 51, Northern Cape reached their target in just over 22 overs.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Baker removed five Free State batsmen for a mere 36 runs as the KZN Inland squad laid claim to the top spot in their pool.
The showdown with Gauteng promises to be a highlight of day three, while Boland and the Free State also lock horns in a game that has the makings of a good contest.
Summarised scorecards
Gauteng 225 (Rushil Bhulla 47, Tahseen Hanslo 39, Extras 30, Armaan Manack 28, Nkosana Sibiya 23, Morteza Manack 21; Neil Barnard 3/39, Zayd Abrahams 3/46, Luca Plekker 2/38); Boland 143 (Francois Prins 54, Liam Basson 21; Corné Botha 3/13, Alec Loveland 2/38). Gauteng won by 82 runs.
Eastern Province 201/9 (Randy Syce 54, William Beamish 36, Samuel Scheckter 35, Luphelo Mdyesha 29, Cayden Wilson 20; Noah Heath 3/26, Muhammad Schroeder 2/25); Western Province 202/6 (Daniel Cooke 51, Noah Heath 37, Daniel Bosman 35*, Adnaan Lagadien 35, Extras 31; Cayden Wilson 4/24, Sulaymaan Gangat 2/33). Western Province won by four wickets.
KZN Coastal 202/6 (Joshua van Biljon 42, Semal Pillay 29, Roxton Payne 27*, Ismaeel Omar 22; Eckard Struwig 1/22), Titans 148 (Logan Weetman 44, Xander Venter 33, Tshepang Laka 23; Roxton Payne 3/10, Akhil Maharaj 3/33). KZN Coastal won by 54 runs.
Free State 156 (Naude Botha 41, Henru de Wet 30, FG Botha 26, Extras 25; Nicholas Baker 5/36), KZN Inland 157/2 (Siposethu Ngcobo 45, Ethan Muir 41, Ben Hockley 26*, Rico Honiball 25*, Extras 20; Nikhil Sukraj 1/20). KZN Inland won by 8 wickets.
North West 157 (Jahndre Coetzee 32*, Eduard Dreyer 29, Issa Bulbulia 26, Extras 21; Asemahle Madikazi 5/23, Asithandile Madikazi 2/14); Kei 30 (Sinawo Nongalo 10; Themba Sontjane 4/8, Jahndre Coetzee 3/15, Olefa Padi 2/3). North West won by 127 runs.
Border 88 (Reece Wait 40; Adil Larya 4/22, Eduan Strydom 2/24); Mpumalanga 70 (Extras 24, Janco Breyl 16; Lihlume Naku 4/13, Hattingh 3/14). Border won by 18 runs.
Garden Route Badgers 119 (Trent Huisamen 38, Extras 27; Omphile Jonas 4/20, Tebogo Mgobo 3/22, Ikanyeng Mothloko 2/32); Northern Cape 124/6 (Hanru Rademeyer 64*, Faizan Kajee 28*; Trent Huisamen 2/12, Ducayne Plaatjies 2/32). Northern Cape won by 4 wickets.
Easterns 214 (Extras 54, Stian de Villiers 39, Jaden Govender 33, Stian van Breda 30; Teddy Khoza 5/32, Aeron Vaidyan 3/15); Limpopo 196 (Muaz Muhammed 75, Jannes van Zyl 60, Extras 30; Cruz Pillay 3/63, Mark Munava 2/20). Easterns won by 18 runs.
Fixtures, Day Three
Day Three – 12 December 2023
Gauteng vs KZN Inland (Recreation Ground – Oudtshoorn)
Titans vs Western Province (Outeniqua HS A – George)
KZN Coastal vs Eastern Province (Recreation Ground – Oudtshoorn)
Free State vs Boland (Bridgton A – Oudtshoorn)
North West vs Border (NMU – George)
Easterns vs Garden Route Badgers (Glenwood House – George)
Mpumalanga vs Kei (Outeniqua HS B – George)
Limpopo vs Northern Cape (Langenhoven Gimnasium – Oudtshoorn)
