SA U19 all-rounder leads Saints to Coca-Cola T20 victory
Coca-Cola South Africa U19 and ICC world XI all-rounder, Gerald Coetzee, led his team to victory as the Bloemfontein-based Saint Andrews defeated Northern Cape High School to secure a spot in Coca-Cola Schools T20 National Finals.
St. Andrews made it to the franchise finals after defeating their rivals, Grey College, last week. St. Andrews played Northern Cape High at Diamond Oval, Kimberley on Friday 23 February where they won and will therefore represent the central franchise, Knights, at Coca-Cola Schools T20 National Finals.
St. Andrews won the toss and elected to bat first. After losing an early wicket of Henre Koekemoer, Gerald Coetzee went on to the crease to join Garnett Tarr. Their partnership of 123 runs from 87 balls ( 10×4, 6×5) gave the bowlers and fielders a hard time on the field.
Northern Cape High finally had a breakthrough when Jaun Mpofu bowled Gerald Coetzee out for 71 runs from 50 balls (7×4, 4×6). Shortly after Gerald’s fall Garnett was dismissed by Zacharea Mason for 53 runs from 39 balls (4×4, 1×6).
Pheko Moletsane also came to the show and was unbeaten at the end of the innings for 32* from 13 balls (4×4, 1×6). St. Andrews set a target of 189 for Northen Cape High to chase.
The hosts started on a good foot as they were 98/3, but things took a sour turn when they lost 3 wickets to Gerald Coetzee’s last over (consisting of 2 runouts and a caught behind wicket) thereby taking them to 103/6.
Reeza Alexander of Northern Cape High did not give up without a fight as he managed to score 58 from 51 balls for his team. Northern Cape High ended their innings on 139/9. Saint Andrews won by 48 runs and will therefore represent Knights at Coca-Cola Schools T20 National Finals.