Rivaldo Moonsamy smashed a quickfire century for Northerns in Pretoria to put them in command of their fixture against Western Province, and claims Thursday’s Play of the Day award, writes ANITHA MADIKIZELA.
The wicketkeeper-batsman scored an imposing 104 off 143 deliveries which included 12 fours and one six to help power the home side to a mammoth 357-6 after winning the toss and electing to bat first. Northerns began their innings well with an 82-run opening stand between Jiveshan Pillay (41) and Andrea Agathagelou (50).
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Moonsamy walked to the crease with Northerns on 169-5 after losing Wandile Makwetu (40) to a brilliant return catch by Jason Smith (2-50). He joined Leus du Plooy (94 off 194 balls, 11×4) in the middle, and the pair put together a stunning 178-run partnership for the sixth wicket to rescue the innings.
Moonsamy was the last man to lose his wicket on day one when Smith found a way through the right-hander’s defences, bowling the batsman in the 92nd over of the innings. He would have been disappointed to fall just a couple of overs before the close of play at Tshwane University of Technology Oval.
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Northerns will resume on Friday with Du Plooy (94) and Ruben Trumpelmann (8) at the crease, looking to build on their 357-6 after day one.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
