No fewer than five centuries were recorded on the opening day of this year’s Khaya Majola Cricket Week, which got off to a spectacular start in Bloemfontein.
Andrew Sobiech (Free State), Daniel Cooke (Western Province), Francois Prins (Boland), Daniel du Plessis (Garden Route Badgers) and Xavier Coetzee (Easterns) all began the tournament in the best possible fashion with hundreds on day one.
Western Province cruised to a convincing nine-wicket victory over the hosts, Free State, thanks to an unbeaten 151-run partnership for the second wicket between Daniel Cooke (104*) and Paul James (62*). Cooke faced just 83 deliveries, striking nine fours and two sixes in a dominant knock.
For Free State, Andrew Sobiech (103) anchored the innings with a well-compiled century.
Boland’s Francois Prins (121) guided his side to a solid 231/8 in their allotted 50 overs. The Titans were on 187/5 when play was halted due to lightning. After the application of the Duckworth-Lewis method, the Titans were awarded a 27-run victory.
The highest individual score of the day belonged to Daniel du Plessis, who struck a superb 132 for the Garden Route Badgers. He shared a 121-run opening partnership with Igcobe Kitshini (50) against Mpumalanga, helping the Southern Cape side to 282/6 in their allotted overs. Mpumalanga’s Eduan Strydom (4/60) was the standout with the ball.
The Garden Route Badgers eventually claimed an 88-run victory via the DLS method.
The first century of the tournament was recorded by Xavier Coetzee (103) of Easterns, as his side powered to a massive 232-run win over Northern Cape.
Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Invitational XI’s Corbin Tidbury (5/18) was in devastating form in his team’s nine-wicket victory over Limpopo. Tidbury captained Eastern Province at last week’s CSA Under-16 Week, where he walked away with the awards for Bowler of the Tournament and All-Rounder of the Tournament.
Gauteng’s Jason Rowles (51), supported by Troy Gordon (22), helped his side withstand a strong challenge from Eastern Province. Gauteng eventually emerged victorious by just five runs under the DLS system.
For the losing side, Randy Syce (82) and William Beamish (50) stood out with the bat.
SUMMARISED SCORECARDS:
Eastern Province 254/6 (Randy Syce 82, William Beamish 50, Rhys Wiblin 45, Extras 43; Wade McQuinn 3/36); Central Gauteng Lions 175/5 (Jason Rowles 51, Wade McQuinn 31, Troy Gordon 22; Dawid Vermaak 2/24). Central Gauteng Lions won by five runs (D/L-method).
Free State 199 (Andrew Sobiech 103, Aiden Dodd 28; Daniel Bosman 3/57, Michael Kruiskamp 2/19); Western Province 200/1 (Daniel Cooke 104*, Paul James 62*; Andrew Sobiech 1/32). Western Province won by nine wickets.
Tuskers 234/8 (Thandolwethu Zama 79, Samuel Hughes 28, Daniel Nadasan 27, Sphamandla Dzanibe 26; Bayanda Majola 3/43, Tristan Delvin 2/40); Dolphins 235/3 (Ismaeel Omar 75*, Bandile Mbatha 60, Josh van Biljon 59, Extras 20; Ethan Muir 2/41). Dolphins won by seven wickets.
Boland 231/8 (Francois Prins 121, Gideon du Toit 29, Liam Basson 21; Neoentle Makwela 3/53, Keamogetswe Semenya 2/43); Titans 187/5 (Vihan Pretorius 38, Lesedi Mabena 34*, Mohammad Rasool 30*, Timothy Gordon 30, Rico van der Walt 25, Extras 20). Titans won by 27 runs (D/L-method).
Garden Route Badgers 282/6 (Daniel du Plessis 132, Igcobe Kitshini 50, Extras 34, Simgunzi Blou 25; Eduan Strydom 4/60, Zeeshan Ebrahim 2/48); Mpumalanga 166/8 (Mfundo Mthimunye 49, Janco Breyl 34, Nhlakanipo Mosehlane 22; Enathi Kitshini 3/20, Simgunzi Blou 2/18, Liviwe Bawulie 2/30). Garden Route Badgers won by 88 runs (D/L-method).
Eastern Cape Iinyathi 175 (Juan Nel 68, Awonke Mgini 45; Prince Marumagae 3/17, Jahndre Coetzee 3/22); North West 176/5 (Olebogeng Scott 55, Christivan Coetzer 27, Louis van Wyk 23, Themba Sontjane 22; AJ Durrheim 2/11. Awonke Mgini 2/57). North West won by five wickets.
Easterns 313/6 (Xavier Coetzee 103, Clayton Horlick 80, Nkosibonile Sibisi 50, Stephan Vermaak 35, Extras 23); Northern Cape 81 (Nathan Baird 19; Abdullah Tadwala 4/13, Kristian du Plessis 2/6, Paul Matlala 2/21). Easterns won by 232 runs.
Limpopo 84 (Jannes van Zyl 24; Corbin Tidbury 5/18, Munib Ayob 2/15); CSA Invitational 86/1 (Nkosana Sibiya 26*, JP Botha 25*). CSA Invitational won by nine wickets.