Lagadien scores a brilliant ton as SA u19 Emerging powers to victory in Zimbabwe
Adnaan Lagadien scored an outstanding century as South Africa u19 Emerging thrashed Zimbabwe u19 Emerging by 237 runs in their 50-over encounter at Queen’s Sports Club, in Bulawayo, on Friday.
After that emphatic victory, coach Malibongwe Maketa’s charges lead the five-match series 4-0.
South Africa, who won the toss and elected to bat first, powered their way to 434/6 in 50 rollicking overs. Just over a quarter of those runs came off the bat of Lagadien, who carved 12 fours and three sixes on his way to 112 off 87 deliveries.
The Muhammed Bulbulia-captained side then turned around and bowled out their hosts for 197 runs in 32.1 overs.
As they have done throughout the series, South Africa tried out a different opening pair. And, as has become the trend, the openers provided the visitors with a brilliant start. Maketa’s charges got things going with a hard-hitting 114-run opening partnership off only 81 deliveries. The blistering start was thanks to Jorich van Schalkwyk‘s attacking play, with the Affies’ learner scoring a brisk 43-ball 58.
Lagadien, who had been happy to be the foil for Van Schalkwyk’s strokeplay, took charge of the innings after his opening partner’s dismissal. He reached his century during a 97-run second-wicket stand with Daniel Bosman, who was also in an attacking mood and struck a 32-ball 39.
Bosman was replaced by Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, but the Cornwall Hill learner did not enjoy a big partnership with Lagadien. They added 26 runs before the opener was dismissed. However, like the other batsmen before him, Phahlamohlaka went after the Zimbabwe bowling attack and registered a half-century, contributing 52 from 41 balls.
He also shared a 90-run fourth-wicket partnership with Paul James, who will consider himself unlucky to have missed out on a century. The Wynberg Boys’ High man scythed a destructive 65-ball 96 that left Zimbabwe reeling.
Samuel Muyambo was Zimbabwe’s most successful bowler, but his two wickets came at a price, as he conceded 71 runs from his nine overs. Darren Ncube, Nawej Mutumwa, Brandon Senzere, and Othaniel Makuzo bagged a wicket each.
As they had done in their previous match, Zimbabwe got away to a decent start. Nathaniel Hlabangana, with 42, shared a 60-run opening stand with Kupakwashe Muradzi, who weighed in with 20. Also, as happened in their previous match, and as has happened throughout the series, they lost wickets in clumps, which stalled their momentum. They were 60/0 after 7.3 overs, but after 14.2 overs they had slipped to 89/4.
Besides Brandon Senzere, who made 50, and Samuel Muyambo, who scored 41, the Zimbabweans struggled against the bowling of Paul James. The Wynberg all-rounder snapped up a tidy three wickets for 13 runs from five overs.
However, the opening batsman, Jorich van Schalkwyk, was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa. He ripped through the Zimbabwean innings, capturing four wickets for seven runs in only 2.1 overs. Bosman, Luke Kleinsmith, and Rowen Rajah claimed a wicket each.
Summarised Scorecards
South Africa u19 Emerging: 434/6 (Adnaan Lagadien 112, Paul James 96, Jorich van Schalkwyk 58, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka 52; Samuel Muyambo 2/71) Zimbabwe u19 Emerging: 197/10 (Brandon Senzere 50, Nathaniel Hlabangana 42; Jorich van Schalkwyk 4/7, Paul James 3/13) South Africa u19 Emerging won by 237 runs.
