The 2018 Africa T20 Cup got under way today and we take a look at how the teams fared at the end of day one.
POOL A
Easterns vs KwaZulu-Natal Coastal – Easterns won by 29 runs
Easterns continued where they left off in the morning with a convincing win over KwaZulu-Natal Coastal. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Easterns set a daunting 183-8 in their allocated overs with the help of a stunning 80 off 46 balls (nine fours, three sixes) from Jurie Snyman. KZN Coastal would need a bright start to pose a challenge but their efforts were thwarted after a disastrous top-order collapse. Easterns spinner Dyllan Matthews was instrumental in that collapse, picking up 3-26 in his four overs as he helped his team restrict the opposition to 154-7. The 29-run victory ensured Easterns cement their spot at the top of Pool A overnight.
KwaZulu-Natal Inland vs Uganda – KwaZulu-Natal Inland won by 133 runs
KZN Inland opened their Africa T20 Cup campaign with a spectacular 133-run victory of Uganda. Cody Chetty (94 not out off 56 balls, eight fours, five sixes) and Kyle Nipper (77 off 45 balls, seven fours, three sixes) were at the forefront of the KZN Inland assault in the first innings. Having won the toss and electing to bat, KZN Inland posted a mammoth 227-2 in their 20 overs before duly dismissing Uganda for just 94 runs in the 19th over. The KZN Inland bowling attack was well-tuned as all the bowlers picked up wickets to wrap up an all-round display on the day.
POOL B
Gauteng vs South Western Districts – Gauteng won by 40 runs
Gauteng continued their winning run in the competition with a convincing 40-run victory over South Western Districts in their afternoon clash. After winning the toss and batting first, Delano Potgieter got things going at the top of the innings for Gauteng with his 71 runs off 53 balls. Wiaan Mulder then ensured the positive start didn’t go to waste, adding 46 not out off 30 balls (one four, three sixes) to help his team to an impressive 170-3 in their allocated overs. Gauteng then got to work with the ball, bowling out South Western Districts for 130 runs in the last over. Gauteng top Pool B after securing two bonus-point victories on the day.
Free State vs Zimbabwe Select XI – Zimbabwe Select XI won by seven wickets
Zimbabwe Select XI registered their first win of the tournament against Free State. Free State were able to post 145-5 in their 20 overs with Rudi Second top-scoring with 51 off 41 balls in the first innings. Zimbabwe then easily chased down the target as all of their top-order batsmen contributed in reaching 149-3 in 16 overs, claiming a comprehensive seven-wicket victory with four overs to spare.
POOL C
Eastern Province vs Mpumalanga – Eastern province won by 11 runs
Eastern Province were able to secure another close win to stay top of the standings in Pool C. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Eastern Cape captain Edward Moore (41 off 32 balls) and Mathew Christensen played a crucial role in steering their team to 170-3 in 20 overs. Mpumalanga’s Aubrey Ferreira wasn’t intimidated by that target as his half-century got his side very close to chasing it down. He would have appreciated a little support as he finished with an unbeaten 61 off 49 balls but his team fell just 11 runs short.
Border vs Namibia – Namibia won by five wickets
Namibia registered their first win in another close Pool C fixture against Border. Border were inserted to bat first and would have felt confident with their total of 193-4 in the first innings. Marco Marais and Gihahn Cloete (44 off 29 balls, four fours, two sixes) were excellent at the top, posting an impressive 86-run opening stand before Cloete’s dismissal by left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz (2-31 in four overs). Marais went on to post 103 not out off 62 balls – including eight fours and seven sixes. Namibia weren’t intimidated by the huge target and retaliated with their own mammoth 143-run opening partnership between Stephan Baard (86 off 51 balls, seven fours, five sixes) and Lohan Louwrens (63 off 29 balls, seven fours, four sixes). That platform proved enough for the African country to reach 197-5 in the last over with two balls to spare.
POOL D
North West vs Northern Cape – Northern Cape won by 5 wickets
Northern Cape secured their second win in two games to stay top of Pool D overnight. North West managed to post 162-8 in their 20 overs with Wihan Lubbe top-scoring with 51 off 28 balls (six fours, one six). Themba Maupa was the pick of the bowling attack in the first innings as he picked up 3-33 in his four overs. Northern Cape responded with a convincing 165-5 with an over to spare as contributions from Patrick Kruger (53 off 20 balls, eight fours, three sixes), Aubrey Swanepoel (56 off 35 balls, seven fours, two sixes) and Farhaan Sayanvala (42 not out off 39 balls) led them to a five-wicket victory.
Limpopo vs Boland – Boland won by seven wickets
Boland cantered to a seven-wicket victory over Limpopo in their first match of the tournament. After winning the toss and electing to field, Boland’s masterclass bowling attack restricted Limpopo to 98-9 in their 20 overs. Lizaad Williams was sensational with the ball en route to figures of 4-13 in his allocated overs. Boland’s batsmen then made light work of the chase as they secured victory in the 16th over with 28 balls to spare.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
