In a cricket showdown of epic proportions, the Central Gauteng Lions roared their way to victory, clinching the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week championship for 2023.
Facing the formidable KZN Dolphins on a bowler-friendly pitch, the Lions found themselves under the Dolphins’ relentless pressure. The Dolphins, making a strategic move, unleashed off-spinner Ross Coetzee to exploit any chinks in the Lions’ armor. Yet, it was the 16-year-old DHS seamer, Buyanda Majola, who stole the spotlight, dismissing key players Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Thebe Gazide. Majola’s fiery spell, boasting an impressive 3/19, coupled with Ntando Soni’s 2/32 and precision bowling by SA U19 player Romashan Pillay, kept the Lions’ run-rate in check.
Despite early setbacks, the Lions rallied with solid contributions from the middle order—Richard Seletswana (24), Henricus Meyer (26), and Kwena Mphaka’s valuable 24 runs. The Lions, though stuttering, managed to salvage some respectability, posting a total of 177 AO.
With the KZN Dolphins in striking distance of the crown, their top order faltered, with skipper Hayden Bishop caught at third man after chasing a wide delivery, and Kwena Maphaka sending Aryan Goplan packing who had earlier rocked with menacing bouncer. Romashan Pillay’s resilient 28 runs couldn’t stem the tide as wickets fell at regular intervals. The KZN Dolphins crumbled to a mere 98 AO, conceding the Khaya Majola final by 78 runs. Medium pacer Tjaart Mentz’s persistent line and length bowling reaped rewards, finishing with a stellar 3/22 from six overs.
Emerging unscathed from the crucible of school cricket, the Central Gauteng Lions stand tall as the deserving champions of the Khaya Majola trophy. Their unbeaten streak in the toughest week of school cricket in the country solidifies their reign at the top. Roar on, Lions!
Results:
Central Gauteng Lions 176 AO (B.Majola 3/19) beat KZN Dolphins 98 AO (T.Mentz 3/22) by 78 runs
Eastern Province 232 AO (Nolan Di Paolo, Jean Upman 43 beat North West 201 AO (Berno De Klerk 54, Muhammed Bulbulia 45 & Hamza Khan 34/3) by 31 runs
Western Province 136/2 (Josh Wyngaard 57*, Paul James 46*) beat Boland 133 AO (Raeeq Daniels 3/22)
Free State 263/9 (Khanyisile Nondwangu 83) beat Mpumalanga 113 AO (Dakalo Leketa 3/30) by 151 runs
Northern Cape 257/8 (Simon Liversage 159) beat Garden Route Badgers 147/8 by 111 runs
Limpopo 110 AO (Esam Mpafa 6/36) beat Kei 33 AO (Masilo Moremi 4/13) by 77 runs
Titans 184 AO (Modise Maloka 57* & Thabiso Ndlela 3/21) beat KZN Inland 169 AO (Thomas Caleb 50, Ivan Lockem 44 & Hernus Marais 4/40) by 15 runs
Easterns 332/9 (Dewan Marais 142, Sheldon van Wyk 68) beat Eastern Cape 201 AO (Ben vd Merwe 52 & Tshegofatso Nthare 4/2) by 131 runs
