Sukraj and Du Preez partnership propels St Andrew’s to narrow two-wicket win
You couldn’t have asked for a better start to the North West, Northern Cape, and Free State regional playoffs in the second phase of the Schools SA20.
Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
St Andrew’s School secured a tense two-wicket victory over Hoërskool Rustenburg at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Friday morning. Saints, though, found themselves in a massive pickle in their run chase after Augie Behrens threw the cat amongst the pigeons.
Defending only 124, after Thian Labuschagne‘s heroic 66, Behrens dismantled the Saints’ top order in a single over, snapping up three wickets in his first six balls.
The run out of Leon Athanasiou (2) off a no-ball, just an over later, added to the dismay of the Bloemfontein side. Reuben van Aarde (23) steadied their innings with a key contribution. However, another two quick wickets from Henlo van Rooyen (2/28) had Saints wobbling until Nikhil Sukraj and Grové du Preez came together.
With only two wickets in hand, Sukraj took charge, striking an unbeaten 24 runs, while 23 came from Du Preez’s bat, as the pair combined for a match-winning and unbroken 36-run partnership.
Besides Sukraj and Du Preez, Jonathan Hickley surely received congratulations in the changing room for his 4/6 from two overs, which played a significant role in restricting Rustenburg.
Grey College nearly let it slip against Kalahari in their clash on the North West University’s Ibbies Oval. Although it was in a losing cause, Kalahari’s Liam Laing’s efforts will surely haunt the Grey boys somewhat. He was by far the standout for Kalahari, top-scoring with 37 and claiming 3/22 with the ball, which had Grey scrambling at a stage.
The impressive Henru de Wet was once again Grey’s mainstay. He led the Bloemfontein school’s attack as they restricted Kalahari to 113/8 from their 20 overs. Then, he kept a calm head as wickets tumbled around him, accumulating an unbeaten 32 runs, which was what his team needed, and Grey College went on to a four-wicket victory.
Caiden Seleka smashed a 20-ball 44 not out to lead Potchefstroom Gimnasium to a convincing nine-wicket victory over Hoërskool Upington on the Puk Oval. Ulrich Botha (3/7) and Jahndré Coetzee (3/12) inflicted serious damage on Upington, sharing three wickets each, as their opposition was bundled out for a disappointing 56.
Seleka’s antics with the willow saw the local side chase down the score in the sixth over to build up momentum before their clash against St Andrew’s School on Friday afternoon.
Summarised scorecards
Hoërskool Rustenburg 123/8 (Thian Labuschagne 66; Jonathan Hickley 4/6); St Andrew’s School 124/8 (Nikhil Sukraj 24*, Grové du Preez 23*, Reuben van Aarde 23; Augie Behrens 3/9, Henlo van Rooyen 2/28). St Andrew’s School won by two wickets.
Kalahari 113/8 (Liam Laing 37, Myburgh de Klerk 33; Henru de Wet 2/10); Grey College 115/6 (Henru de Wet 32*, Daniel Hattingh 23; Liam Laing 3/22, Carl Thole 2/29). Grey College won by four wickets.
Hoërskool Upington 56/10 (Kriel du Plessis 16; Ulrich Botha 3/7, Jahndré Coetzee 3/12, Ruhann Steenkamp 2/10); Potchefstroom Gimnasium 57/1 (Caiden Seleka 44*; Kriel du Plessis 1/16). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by nine wickets.
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