Kotze’s bat sinks Iinyathi, Sibrits aces it against Kei
Lukas Kotze‘s innings for North West against the Eastern Cape Iinyathi had a lot of sweetness but also a touch of bitterness.
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Going at an impressive rate of nearly a run-a-ball, Kotze punished the Iinyathi bowlers, smashing nine fours and one six as he made his way to a very entertaining 93 runs before he became Yonelisa Mkhohliswa‘s first and only victim, falling just seven runs short of a deserved century.
Sihle Dume took a leaf from Kotze’s book. The opening batsman occupied the crease with intent to bring up a well-deserved half-century, his first of the week, to help North West to a competitive 254/7 in the allotted 50 overs.
Unfortunately for Iinyathi, only Connor Folwes was able to make a noteworthy contribution. Fowles, just like Kotze and Dume, batted suberbly, hitting seven fours and two sixes for his 62 runs, but it would not be enough as he watched on as his side suffered a comprehensive 95-run loss.
The Limpopo Impalas‘ Benjie Mathebula also let his bat do the talking, leading the side from the north to their first victory at this year’s week, over Northern Cape. Having to work hard, with the Northern Cape bowlers fighting to defend a below-par score of 147, Mathebula faced 93 deliveries for his match-winning 75 runs, which included 10 glorious fours.
His innings kept the Impala ship afloat after Carl Thole‘s good effort of 3/28, steering it home with just three wickets to spare.
Luan Sibrits also came agonisingly close to scoring the first century of the week, smashing Kei to all corners of the ground as Mpumalanga got back to winning ways, beating their Eastern Cape counterparts by a whopping 170 runs.
Facing an impressive 120 deliveries, Sibrits accumulated 97 runs. Making his innings even more impressive is the fact that he only hit five boundaries, as he delivered a masterclass of running between the wickets. Herman Potgieter seemingly enjoyed batting with Sibrits, as he, too, notched a well-played 56, while Wian van Heerden followed suit with an unbeaten 50 of his own.
Daniel Hattingh and FG Botha continued their purple patch with the willow, leading Free State to victory over the high-flying Easterns. In reply, the talented Easterns all-rounder Stephan Vermaak showcased his batting prowess with a proper innings of 53, yet, his side had to settle for a 47-run defeat.
Summarised scorecards:
North West 254/7 (Lukas Kotze 93, Sihle Dume 53, Andre Dreyer 25, Christivan Coetzer 20; Ambese Linda 2/57, Matt Hendry 2/27); Eastern Cape Iinyathi 159 (Connor Fowles 62, Ambese Linda 22; Omphile Rangwaga 2/16, Olefa Padi 2/27, Thloni Thabatha 2/32). North West won by 95 runs.
Northern Cape 147 (Kieran Adams 31, Extras 31; Stephan Swanepoel 2/5, Ripfumelo Mabunda 2/27, Limni Lu Heswick 2/31); Limpopo Impalas 151/7 (Benjie Mathebula 75, Jaco van der Westhuyzen 28*; Carl Thole 3/28, Faizaan Kajee 2/26). Limpopo Impalas won by three wickets.
Mpumalanga 276/7 (Luan Sibrits 97, Herman Potgieter 56, Wian van Heerden 50*, Extras 29; Lukhanyo Nkomonye 3/43, Sanele Mphathelwa 2/54); Kei 106 (Extras 36, Siphumeze Nonwana 34, Lukhanyo Nkomonye 22; Adil Larya 3/37, Eduan Strydom 2/5, Ashley Khumalo 2/11, Nayhasa Gwaraba 2/29). Mpumalanga won by 170 runs.
Free State 192 (Daniel Hattingh 55, FG Botha 45, Eddie Mabena 30; Sohil Jagnath 2/5, Rieshaeel Hashim 2/18, Oluhle Sibali 2/48); Easterns 145 (Stephan Vermaak 53, Aiden Shaw 34, Extras 25; Jano Venter 3/26, FG Botha 2/26, Daniel Hattigh 2/28). Free State won by 47 runs.
