Playing under coastal conditions once again favoured the Western Province and KwaZulu-Natal teams on the second day of the Khaya Majola U19 Cricket Week.
The KZN Coastals (Dolphins) played with greater assurance after their narrow win on the opening day, securing a convincing five-wicket victory over Boland. Boland, who had caused an upset by beating the Titans, struggled to find the same form, losing wickets regularly and committing the cardinal sin of not batting their full 50 overs. The Wege brothers from Paarl Boys’ High provided some resistance, adding a touch of respectability to the score, but chasing 130 runs was always going to be well within the Dolphins’ reach. Westville’s Max Robertson scored a rapid 55 off 55 balls, breaking the back of the run chase and maintaining the unbeaten status of the KZN outfit. However, the Dolphins top order does appeared fragile, with Bandile Mbatha failing again at No. 3, and that could be exploited against stronger teams.
Wynberg’s off-spinner Divan Linde claimed the second five-wicket haul of Khaya Majola Week as Western Province denied the Gauteng Lions a victory. Needing to reach a modest total of 140, it seemed as if the Lions would canter home for their first win of the week. However, Linde, along with his Wynberg teammate Paul James (3/12), proved more than a handful for the Gauteng team, with only St David’s Armaan Manack showing any confidence against the turning ball. Western Province claimed their second win and remain unbeaten so far.
The Titans recorded their first win of the week, although it was probably closer than they would have liked. Scoring the highest team total so far, the Titans finished at 235/9 at the end of their innings, with good contributions from Steven Stolk and Divan de Villiers. Stolk, in particular, looked in great form; the SA U19 and Pretoria Capitals rookie hammered 41 off 33 balls before being caught on the boundary while attempting a maximum. Eastern Province, however, took the fight to the Titans thanks to a fine half-century by Grey High School’s Xander Elkington. Nevertheless, the Titans bowled with discipline and managed to dismiss EP in the 48th over, still 34 runs short of the winning total.
We are still awaiting the first century of the 2024 Khaya Majola U19 Cricket Week, as bowlers have dominated so far, enjoying the swing and spin that Cape pitches offer. With only the Dolphins and WP unbeaten, it seems likely that these two coastal teams will end up in the final match of the week.
Results from Day Two:
Boland 130/10 (Johan Wege 49, Christian Wege 24, Extras 20, Ntando Soni 3/17, Sandiswa Yeni 2/27); Dolphins 131/5 (Max Robertson 55, Mfana Shange 26*, Ngobani Mokoena 21*; Taywin Adams 2/36). Dolphins won by five wickets.
Western Province 140/10 (Adnaan Lagadien 33, Paul James 26, Kashief Joseph 25, Divan Linde 24; Ruan Strauss 6/22, Sipho Potsane 2/16); Central Gauteng Lions 119/10 (Armaan Manack Pranav Raichetti 37; Divan Linde 5/27, Paul James 3/12). Western Province won by 21 runs.
Tuskers 209/9 (Daniel Nadasan 38, Cian Fortmann 34, Ben Hockley 28, Siposethu Ngcobo 23, Extras 21, Darion Rabie 2/25, Meyer Pretorius 2/41, Hendru de Wet 2/47); Free State 162/10 (N Botha 59, Christian Kind 55, Extras 23; Chad Mason 7/27). Tuskers won by 47 runs.
Titans 235/9 (Steve Stolk 41, Divan de Villiers 38, Charl Prinsloo 33*, Mohammad Rasool 30,Tshepang Laka 25, Jorich van Schalkwyk 23; Dawid Vermaak 2/24, Kian Cambier 2/26, Cayden Wilson 2/42); Eastern Province 201/10 (Xander Elkington 54, Hamza Khan 36, Kian Cambier 29, Indiphile Tshisa 28; Charl Prinsloo 2/17, Mohammad Rasool 2/20, Divan de Villiers 2/46). Titans won by 34 runs.
Northern Cape 70/10 (Benjamin Potgieter 33; Nathan Rossouw 5/18, Barend de Klerk 3/21); North West 73/5 (Caiden Seleka 25; Danie van der Merwe 3/19). North West won by five wickets.
Mpumalanga 73/10 (John Duncan 27; Corné Kennedy 3/17, Enathi Kitshini 2/9, Shirwin Plaatjies 2/15, Liviwe Bawuli 2/15); Garden Route Badgers 74/2 (Enathi Kitshini 29*; Curtleigh Koetzee 1/14).Garden Route Badgers won by eight wickets.
Limpopo Impalas 193/10 (Victor Sehata 33, Extras 32, Hanno van Zyl 28, Coetzee du Preez 26* Nicolas Oerlemans 20; Sabelo Mabanga 4/28, Ahmed Imran 2/36, Parth Patel 2/37); Easterns 196/3 (Aldré Huysers 84, Jacques Havenga 50*, Sabelo Mabanga 40, Timothy Baker 2/23). Easterns won by seven wickets
Eastern Cape linyathi 189/10 (Chulumanco Macozoma 59, Tré Gilbert 50, Jacques van der Merwe 23; Vihan Pretorius 3/19, Paul Matlala 3/32, Ryall Julies 2/20); CSA Invitational XI 190/3 (Ombesa Matsha 66, Zuko Pontshi 57*, Extras 26; Aaron Senekal 1/17). CSA Invitational XI won by seven wickets.