19 December 2023
An outstanding innings from Hayden Bishop was the highlight of the semi-final clash between KwaZulu-Natal and KwaZulu-Natal Inland on Tuesday at the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week in Makhanda. Unfortunately, their match, like most of the others, was affected by rain.
Batting first, KZN had their 50 overs reduced to 36 overs because of the precipitation, but that proved to be no problem for Kearsney skipper Bishop, who has enjoyed an excellent week. He struck an unbeaten 108 to steer KZN to 208 for 4. Romashan Pillay lent good support with an innings of 38.
Although he didn’t pick up a wicket, left-arm spinner Cameron Strudwick was once again economical, sending down seven overs at a cost only 21 runs.
KZN Inland, in reply, were on 59 for 3 after 14 overs when their innings was ended by the weather. Glenwood captain Ntando Soni (feature photo), who has also enjoyed a very good week, was among the wickets once more, removing Ivan Lockem and Ntando Zuma, in a return of 2 for 12 from four overs.
With KZN having topped their pool and KZN Inland finishing second in their pool, and with the match not being decided, KZN progressed to the final where they will take on the favourites, the Central Gauteng Lions.
The Lions’ game against the Titans was also brought to a premature end. Given 31 overs to bat, Central Gauteng posted 208 for 5, led by Richard Seletswane‘s 56, 48 not out from Luke Francis, and 48 from captain David Teeger.
Paceman Tristan Luus was the standout bowler for the Titans, capturing 3 for 45, including the wickets of both openers, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Tshepo Stafa, and top scorer Richard Seletswane.
The team from northern Gauteng then spent only five balls out in the middle, but they were entertaining as Steve Stolk went after SA u19 seamer Kwena Maphaka, striking a six and a four to make an undefeated 11 from only five balls. Modie Maloka faced only one ball but smashed it for six as the Titans reached 19 without loss.
In one of the few games to finish, Mpumalanga edged out the Garden Route Badgers by just seven runs. That victory has put them into a promotion/relegation match against Free State on Wednesday. Eastern Province will tackle North West in the other promotion/relegation game.
In the only other contest to deliver a result on Tuesday, the Eastern Cape Iinyathi (formerly Border) ran out convincing 96-run winners over Limpopo.
The Eastern Storm, meanwhile, were on their way to a massive victory over Kei, who have been the whipping boys, and regularly conceded centuries. This time around, Aldré Huyzer tallied 164 and Sabelo Mabanga 142, in an opening partnership of 311, as the Storm flew to 412/2 in only 37 overs.
When rain ended play, Kei were well off the pace on 39 for 4 after 12 overs, with Ndaba Nhlakanipo having knocked over 4 for 12.
Wednesday Fixtures
Limpopo vs Kei, 15th/16th
Eastern Cape Iinyathi vs Easterns, 13th/14th
Garden Route Badgers vs Northern Cape 11th/12th
Free State vs Mpumalanga, promotion/relegation
Eastern Province vs North West, promotion/relegation
Boland vs Western Province, 5th/6th
KZN Inland vs Titans, 3rd/4th
KZN vs Central Gauteng Lions, final
Scores
KwaZulu-Natal 208/4 in 36 overs (Hayden Bishop 108*, Romashan Pillay 38, Caleb Thomas 1/5); KZN Inland 59/3 in 14 overs (Bryn Brokensha 18*, Ntando Soni 2/12)
Central Gauteng Lions 208/5 in 31 overs (Richard Seletswane 56, Luke Francis 48*, David Teeger 48, Lhuan-dre Pretorius 30, Tristan Luus 3/45); Titans 19/0 in 0.5 overs
Mpumalanga 184/9 in 39 overs (Luke Poisson 42, Davico Kruger 39, Jayden Meyer 31, Jessie Lewis 3/31, Stefan May 2/33); Garden Route Badgers 177/10 in 37.1 overs (Zane Greyling 69, Stefan May 35, Davico Kruger 3/28, Dian Eicker 3/38) Mpumalanga won by 7 runs.
Eastern Cape Iinyathi (Border) 185 for 8 in 45 overs (Tre’ Gilbert 59, Ryan Denston 31, Amahle Masiko 26, Michael Nel 2/21); Limpopo 89/10 in 29.1 overs (Hlumelo Ntlola 3/8, Adam Rogers 3/18, Ryan Denston 2/10, Chad Clark-Evans 2/11) Eastern Cape Iinyathi won by 96 runs.
Eastern Storm 412/2 in 37 overs (Aldre Huyzer 164, Sabelo Mabanga 142, Tristan van Schalkwyk 51*, Dewan Marais 35*); Kei 39/4 in 12 overs (Ndaba Nhlakanipo 4/12)
Western Province 201/7 in 35 overs (Kashief Joseph 72, Oliver Whitehead 29, Connor Nel 3/37, Dakalo Leketa 2/19, Juan Viljoen 2/42); Free State 18/1 in 5.3 overs (Fayyaad Davids 1/6)
Eastern Province 226/9 in 37 overs (Matthew Beamish 42, Russell Peterson 38, Matthew Poole 30*, Jean Upman 28, Juanrico Vorster 2/39) Boland 82/3 in 16 overs (Comey van der Watt 43*, Matthew Beamish 2/29)
North West Dragons 198/5 in 35 overs (Muhammed Bulbulia 84, Marneau Dreyer 82, Simon Liversage 3/12 and four catches, Gift Seane 2/21); Northern Cape Heat 124/8 in 31.4 overs (Simon Liversage 59, Kai Trumpelmann 4/12, Tumelo Makume 2/33) North West won by 56 runs D/L Method.
Leave a Reply