Hockly, Van Schalkwyk decimate Zim bowlers to secure win for SA u19
Ben Hockly and Jorich van Schalkwyk both scored unbeaten half-centuries to shepherd South Africa u19 Emerging to a one-sided 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe u19 Emerging in their 50-over match at Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo, on Wednesday.
With Wednesday’s victory, their third from three matches in the five-match series, South Africa secured a series win by taking an unbeatable 3-0 lead.
The tourists, who were asked to bowl first, blew away the Zimbabwe batting lineup, dismissing them for 180 in 48.5 overs.
Muhammed Bulbulia and his team needed less than half the time the Zimbabweans used up to chase down that total. They romped to 183 without loss in only 22.3 overs.
In their first two games, South Africa had Bulbulia and Adnaan Lagadien opening the batting. On Wednesday, they changed personnel and went with Hockly and Van Schalkwyk. What did not change was the top-order dominance that has become a feature of the series.
Hockly smashed 10 fours and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 84 off 72 deliveries, while Van Schalkwyk stroked 10 fours and a six for his unbeaten 79 off 64 balls.
Throughout their big unbroken opening stand, they never looked in trouble and neither offered a chance. At the same time, their run rate was always over 100, with Hockly reaching his half-century in 41 balls, and Van Schalkwyk bringing his up off of 47.
The assured work of the batsmen was the cherry on the top following an outstanding bowling performance by the South African attack. Zimbabwe began well, getting off to a fast start, with the first wicket producing 25 runs from only 24 balls. Opener Nathaniel Hlabangana top-scored with 54, while his partner Leeroy Chiwaula was the first man to fall, out for eight.
After that rollicking start, the hosts retreated into their shell and accumulated 63 runs off 106 deliveries as they attempted to steady their ship through Hlabangana and Kupakwashe Muradzi, who contributed 25.
Jason Rowles broke their partnership in the 22nd over, which led to a downhill slide for the Zimbabweans. Their batsmen struggled to contend with South Africa’s bowlers. Only three of them – Hlabangana, Muradzi, and Tatenda Banda (25) – made it beyond the teens. Two others, Brandon Senzere (11) and Ryan Moyo (11), reached double figures, while the rest were restricted to single-digit scores.
Paul James was the pick of the bowlers, knocking over three for nine in 5.5 overs. Ntando Soni also bagged three scalps from 10 overs, which cost him 34 runs.
Rowles, who took the prized wickets of Hlabangana and Muradzi, finished with two wickets for 24 runs in eight overs, while Bayanda Majola took a single wicket for 36 runs in 10.
Summarised Scorecard
Zimbabwe u19 Emerging 180/10 (Nathaniel Hlabangana 54, Kupakwashe Muradzi 25; Paul James 3/9, Ntando Soni 3/34, Jason Rowles 2/24) South Africa u19 Emerging 183/0 (Ben Hockly 84*, Jorich van Schalkwyk 79*) South Africa u19 Emerging won by 10 wickets.
