Murray smashes 125 in Affies’ 136-run victory over Noodhweuwel
Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool‘s (Affies) Daniel Murray struck a scintillating century to lay the foundation for a commanding victory over Hoërskool Noordheuwel in Pretoria on Saturday.
Batting at five, his favoured position, Murray accelerated with purpose as he propelled the home side towards a total of 295, with the final wicket falling on the penultimate ball of their innings.
His 125 came off only 106 deliveries and included seven sixes and five fours. When he wasn’t hitting boundaries, Murray was rotating the strike, which underlined the maturity of his knock.
While the wicketkeeper-batsman played the leading role, he enjoyed good support from the rest of the Affies’ batsmen. Christian Linde contributed a well-constructed 44. He’s been a consistent performer in the Affies 1st XI for the past two years, despite being only in Grade 10 this year.
At the top of the order, AJ Morkel set the tone by weighing in with a promising 32 before being dismissed by the Nories‘ most effective bowler on the day, Hanru Begemann, who claimed 2/26 from his seven overs.
Malan de Jager, though, went one wicket better, returning 3/45, which included the final wicket in the Affies’ innings.
Noordheuwel’s best all-round performer, though, was Juwan Lamont. He nabbed 2/46 before adding a fighting 72 with the bat. Unfortunately for Noordheuwel, he found support for his fine innings to be sparse, though.
Heinrich Smith, with 42, was the only other significant contributor, as Affies’ opening bowling pair of Armin Snyman and Zian Labuschagne seized control of he contest.
Snyman led the charge with an impressive 4/27, while Labuschagne chipped in with 2/18, for a combined return of 6/45, which played a pivotal role in the visitors being dismissed for 159.
Summarised scorecard
Affies 295 (Daniel Murray 125, Christian Linde 44, AJ Morkel 32, Dylan Stander 20, Paul Bester 20, Dawie Barnard 20; Malan de Jager 3/45, Hanru Begemann 2/26, Juwan Lamont 2/46); Noordheuwel 159 (Juwan Lamont 72, Heinrich Smith 42; Armin Snyman 4/27, Zian Labuschagne 2/18). Affies won by 136 runs.
