Khwezi Mtshakazi blasted a fantastic unbeaten half-century to lead Dale College to a thrilling six-wicket win over Queen’s College in their Rain Schools SA20 Derby Series contest on the Parry Davies Field at Queen’s on Friday.
Afika Ganda, the Dale College captain, called correctly at the toss and chose to bowl first. His bowlers answered the call and restricted Queen’s to 140/3. The visitors then took 19.3 overs to get to 146/4 and claim victory.
Dale came into the contest desperate for redemption after a humiliating loss to Queen’s earlier this year. They achieved their goal with flying colours.
At first, the visitors struggled to build lasting partnerships in their run chase. Simvuyele Saliwa and Dane Meyer cobbled together a 16-run opening stand before Saliwa had to make way for Ganda in the middle. Then Ganda and Meyer pushed Dale forward with a 39-run second-wicket partnership.
Queen’s picked up wickets often enough to ensure that Dale did not run away with the contest. Matters, however, tilted in Dale’s favour when Kwezi Mtshakazi joined forces with Zingce Poni for a match-winning, unbroken 81-run fifth-wicket partnership off 60 balls.
Before they got together, Dale’s run rate hovered around the required rate. They pushed it beyond that requirement.
Mtshakazi smashed an unbeaten 50 off 29 balls, while Poni added a patient 27 from 33 deliveries.
Mtshakazi’s half-century counteracted Ross Fitzhenry’s unbeaten 66 runs from 55 balls for Queen’s. Fitzhenry made his way to the crease in the third over and saw the innings through.
He was part of two partnerships worth more than 50 runs apiece. The first one was a 59-run third-wicket stand with Caleb Waller (26), which was followed by a 69-run fourth-wicket partnership with Amila Maselana (22).
Dale’s excellence in the field also played a huge role in their victory. Only one bowler, Enkosi Sopali, took a wicket, on his way to 1/21 from four overs. The other two wickets were run outs.
Summarised Scorecard
Queen’s College 140/3 (Ross Fitzhenry 66*, Caleb Waller 26, Amila Maselana 22; Enkosi Sopali 1/21). Dale College 146/4 (Khwezi Mtshakazi 50*, Zingce Poni 27*, Afika Ganda 26; Mthokozisi Mbambo 2/19, Owais Turi 1/22). Dale College won by six wickets.
