Northwood stun Clifton T20 champs, DHS, in W100 clash
The topsy-turvy nature of cricket was on full display on Wednesday, when Northwood hosted high-flying Durban High School (DHS) in a W100 match on the Robin Smith Oval.
The Knights have, at times, struggled to score quickly enough in the shorter forms of the game this season, but their bowling and fielding has been a strength. Against DHS, they delivered on both fronts to hand the recently crowned Clifton T20 Tournament champions a 14-run loss.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Northwood didn’t start their innings particularly well, losing two batsmen, including the in-form Thayin Kuppan, with only 14 runs on the board. That, however, brought Nqobani Mokoena to the crease and he immediately went after the Horseflies‘ bowling.
While he was out in the middle, 24 balls were bowled, 13 of which he faced, and in that time the Knights added exactly 50 runs. Mokoena’s fiery knock produced three sixes, three fours and 32 runs before he was caught by DHS captain Semal Pillay off the bowling of Zaid Motala.
Unfortunately for the home side, they lost Mokoena’s partner, Mfana Shange only a ball later. His useful contribution of 26 came from 17 deliveries and included five fours.
Another wicket followed shortly after that, but Kyle White and Connor Leclezio then combined to reclaim some control for the Knights. They put on 35 for the seventh wicket before both departed with the total on 121.
White was the first to go, having made a crucial 23 from 30 balls. It wasn’t rapid scoring, but it was what Northwood needed. Leclezio then departed for 16 from 18.
After their 100 balls, the home team had put up 127/9 – not an exceptional total, but something to defend.
Ethan Cooper excelled for DHS, capturing 4/20 from 15 deliveries, while his captain, Semal Pillay, was both economical and penetrative, knocking over 2/13 from his 15 balls.
When DHS batted, Isaac Phiri got the Knights off to a good start with the ball, keeping the openers tied down, before Jordan Matthews removed Omar Ismaeel, one of the top performers for DHS at the Clifton T20, before a run was on the board.
Semal Pillay and Sibusiso Msibi advanced the total to 25, but Pillay was then out to a combination of Kyle White and Mason Storm for 11. Msibi stuck around until DHS had reached 42 from 42. Then Storm struck again to send him packing for 21 from 14, with two fours.
School upped their run rate slightly, moving on to 63 from 56 deliveries, but Sfundo Mthembu was then dismissed for 10 and he was quickly followed by Ethan Cooper and Josh van Biljon as DHS slipped to 70/6, with Connor Leclezio claiming the wickets of Mthembu and Van Biljon, and Harlee Jagga taking a caught and bowled to remove Cooper.
Jared Havemann and Dalan Naraidu put on 20 together but, when Naraidu was out, with the total on 90, there were just 15 balls left and DHS still required 38 to win.
Bayanda Majola offered some late innings fireworks for the visitors, blasting one six in an unbeaten 18 off of nine. But Havemann fell for 17 from 17 with the total on 99.
Thanks to Majola, DHS finished on 113/8, but it was Northwood’s day.
Connor Leclezio led the Knights’ bowling attack with 3/23 from 20 balls, while Mason Storm picked up 2/20 from 20, and Jordan Matthews 2/27 from 20, also.
Scores
Northwood 127/9 (Nqobani Mokoena 32, Mfana Shange 26, Kyle White 23; Ethan Cooper 4/20, Semal Pillay 2/13); DHS 113/8 (Sibusiso Msibi 21, Bayanda Majola 18*; Connor Leclezio 3/23, Mason Storm 2/20, Jordan Matthews 2/27) Northwood won by 14 runs.
