Hoërskool Garsfontein made light work of Laudium Hub‘s 147/8, powering to an eight-wicket win in only 12.4 overs, in a rain Schools SA20 match on Thursday in Pretoria.
Garsies fielded first after winning the toss, but Laudium was up for a fight. They lost an early wicket, but Ahmed Ebrahim and Zaakir Khan then added 51 for the second wicket in 7.3 overs.
Ruan Cuyler broke the partnership when he had Ebrahim caught by Joshua de Villiers. Ebrahim’s 39 from 32 balls, with five fours and two sixes, was the Hub’s highest score. Khan followed two runs later for 19, leaving Laudium on 62/3 in the twelfth over.
Rayaan Khan boosted the innings, striking two sixes and a four in his 20 off 15 deliveries. However, Maahir Patel provided the fireworks, blasting three sixes and a four in a fiery 27 off only 11 balls to help his side to a healthy total.
Alex Potgieter was the only bowler to remove more than one batsman, picking up 2/20 from four overs, while two batsmen were run out.
Garsfontein needed to bat at 7.4 runs per over to win. No problem! They batted at more than 12 per over to charge to a convincing victory, with each of the four batsmen making scores in the thirties.
Ruan Cuyler and Jean de Villiers rocketed along, scoring 56 for the first wicket before Cuyler fell in the fifth over for 32 from 16 balls, with four fours and a six. The other three batsmen hammered 12 sixes between them.
De Villiers, the second man out, made 38 off 18, with two fours and four sixes.
Rudolph Kirstein and Arrie Verster then shared an unbroken stand of 81 off only 39 balls to propel their team over the line. Kirstein was 32 not out, with three sixes, while Verster hit an unbeaten 38, which included five boundaries, all of them sixes.
Areeb Qasim, with 1/34 from four overs, was the best of the Laudium Hub bowlers.
St Alban’s College vs Laudium Hub
A decision to field by St Alban’s College paid dividends in their match against the Eersterust Hub, who mustered only 65 all out from 19.1 overs.
Leano Jansen, at the top of the order, top-scored with 28, but no other batsmen bettered six runs. However, 19 extras were a help.
Tristan Naidoo snared 3/11 in four overs to lead the St Alban’s attack. Jesse Eckard gave little away, capturing 2/6 from his four, while his new ball partner, Sri Sadineni, claimed 2/14 in four, and Musa Musooko chipped in with 2/13.
In reply, St Alban’s needed 10.3 overs to secure an eight-wicket win.
Jesse Eckard let loose, striking four fours in an unbeaten 23 from only 11 deliveries, to see his side across the line.
Eesterust’s opening pair, Kejandre Kajees and Jansen Olyn, picked up 1/24 from three overs each.
Summarised Scorecards:
Laudium Hub 147/8 (Ahmed Ebrahim 39, Maahir Patel 27, Rayaan Khan 20; Alex Potgieter 2/20); Hoërskool Garsfontein 151/2 (Arrie Verster 38*, Jean de Villiers 38, Rudolph Kirstein 32*, Ruan Cuyler 32). Hoërskool Garsfontein won by eight wickets.
Eersterust Hub 65/10 (Leano Jansen 28; Tristan Naidoo 3/11, Jesse Eckard 2/6, Musa Musooko 2/13, Sri Sadineni 2/14); St Alban’s College 67/2 (Jesse Eckard 23*). St Alban’s College won by eight wickets.
