Opening batsman Daniel Smith (119) and Lehan Botha (103) put the Cape Cobras in a commanding position against Namibia with their centuries during the opening day of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Cubs Week.
Smith and Botha shared a 142-run partnership for the second wicket to lay the foundation for their team to reach a massive 353/5 in their allotted 50 overs. Smith also recorded the first century during last year’s Khaya Majola Week in Balgowan.
Smith faced 118 deliveries in his innings, striking 16 fours. Botha found the boundary 11 times. This included a maximum. Nathan Jacobs (4/28) was the pick of the Cobras bowling attack.
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The Dolphins’ Andile Simelane wrapped up Nigeria’s tail with a hat-trick to claim an 80-run victory. Simelane got rid of Jimoh Rahman (1), Audu Isiaka (0) and Abolariu Rasheed (0) to bring the visitors’ innings to an end.
He rearranged Rahman and Rasheed’s wickets, while trapping Isiaka leg before. The Dolphins reached 228/8 in their innings thanks to contributions by Chad Laycock (49), Francis Moran (46) and Slade van Staden (36).
The Lions showed with an 18-run victory over the Titans that they will be serious title contenders. Sebastian de Oliveira produced an all-round performance to get his team over the line.
De Oliveira (56*) hit an unbeaten half-century with Nick Halstead-Cleak (61), Cameron Rowe (48) and Heinrigh Pieterse (38) also chipping in to help the Lions reach 218/8 in their allotted overs.
De Oliveira (5/54) then produced the best bowling figures of the day to help bundle the Titans out short of the target. Three of the Titans’ batsmen Jordan Hermann (84), Hanu Viljoen (55) and Simeon de Bruyn (50*) scored half-centuries.
The Knights recorded a convincing 83-run victory over the Warriors. It seemed that it would be a much closer contest after the Knights was bowled out for 218 runs. Marco de Kock (56) and Orapeleng Mtloaring (51) scored fifties.
It was the spin bowling of Reeza Alexander (3/15) and Ruan Cronjé (3/32) which help the Knights to restrict the Warriors to a mere 135 runs with all their batsmen back in the change room.
Summarised Scorecards:
Knights 218 (Marco de Kock 56, Orapeleng Mthloaring 51, Extras 25; Aiden Meyer 3/38, Ethan Frosler 2/17, Matthew Fourie 2/36); Warriors 135 (Nicholas Keevy 34, Ethan Frosler 22*; Reeza Alexander 3/15, Ruan Cronjé 3/32). Knights won by 83 runs.
Cape Cobras 353/5 (Daniel Smith 119, Lehan Botha 103, Thembani Ngicizela 46, Extras 33; Dirk Theunissen 2/57, Stefan Bezuidenhout 2/66); Namibia 194/6 (Matthew de Gouveia 89*, Gerhard Janse van Rensburg 37, Extras 28; Nathan Jacobs 4/28). Cape Cobras won by 159 runs.
Dolphins 228/8 (Chad Laycock 49, Francis Moran 46, Slade van Staden 36; Jimoh Rahma 2/29); Nigeria 148 (Sulaimon Runsewe 32, Samuel Mba 29, Boniface Emmanuel 27, Olaleye Elijah 26; Andile Simelane 4/17, Michael Frost 2/37). Dolphins won by 80 runs.
Lions 281/8 (Nick Halstead-Cleak 61, Sebastian de Oliveira 56*, Cameron Rowe 48, Heinrigh Pieterse 38, Extras 27; Wisani Mushwana 3/46, Om Thakkar 2/23); Titans 263 (Jordan Hermann 84, Hanu Viljoen 55, Simeon de Bruyn 50*, Saahil Khan 28; Sebastian de Oliveira 5/54, Heinrigh Pieterse 2/36). Lions won by 18 runs.
