CAPELL BLITZ GIVES SWD A BOOST
Six Gun South Western Districts succumbed to a total of 291 for eight on Day 1 of their 4-Day encounter against Hollywood Tuskers at Pietermaritzburg Oval in KZN on Thursday.
Blayde Capell, who shared a 125-run first-wicket partnership with Yaseen Valli (52), put them in control with a quickfire 80 from 68 balls.
However, despite that good start provided by Capell and Valli, and handy contributions by Leus du Plooy (54) and Andre Malan (70), a fantastic collapse by SWD, who lost five wickets in just under 10 overs, managing only 15 runs, left them at 291 for eight at stumps. Bad light stopped play late in the day.
Michael Erlank was the pick of the Tuskers bowlers with three wickets from 19 overs.
South Western Districts won the toss and elected to bat.
MAHLANGU GIVES HEAT THE START THEY WANTED
Northern Cape Heat dominated Day 1 of encounter against Eastern Storm at Willowmore Park in Benoni.
Victor Mahlangu (57) scored his 13th half-century in a first-wicket partnership of 106 runs with Ernest Kemm (43). The partnership provided the perfect platform for other Northern Cape Heat batters to build on.
Bad light stopped play at Willowmoore Park. Northern Cape Heat were on 315 for three at stumps. Heat’s experienced pair of Jonathan Vandiar (84*) and Aubrey Swanepoel (79*) were at the crease.
Matthew Arnold, Grant Thomson and Nhlakanipho Nxumalo took a wicket each for Eastern Storm.
Northern Cape Heat won the toss and elected to bat first.
VAN NIEKERK TONS SAVES THE DAY AS RADEBE STARS WITH BALL
Benjamin van Niekerk (113*) top-scored for Mpumalanga Rhinos at Uplands College in White River, on Day 1 of their tie against Limpopo Impalas.
Besides opener Liam Peters, who managed a valiant 45 from 99 balls, Mpumalanga Rhinos batters struggled to get going. Only Yasaar Cook (15) and Gerald Ngwenyama (14) managed to get to double figures.
Benjamin van Niekerk fought a lone battle to push Rhinos to 216.
Don Radebe took a five-wicket haul for Limpopo Impalas in his debut 4-day match. Radebe took 5-41 in 14 overs.
In reply, the Impalas did not get off on a great note as both openers, Ludwig Kaestner (16) and Amir Bux (0) fell cheaply. Bux was run out after facing only eight balls. Kaestner was trapped lbw by Bamanye Xenxe. Limpopo Impalas are 82/2 at stumps.
Mpumalanga Rhinos won the toss and elected to bat first.