Dayyaan Galiem delivered a standout all-round performance to lead SA Emerging Men to a 42-run win over University of Sport South Africa (USSA) XI in the opening match of the Tri-series at the Groenkloof Oval on Thursday.
The Momentum Multiply Titans allrounder top scored with 74 and finished with three for 35 to ensure the hosts got their campaign, which also features Bangladesh Emerging, off to a winning start.
Anchored by a half-century from opener Modiri Litheko and Galiem’s middle-order charge, SA Emerging set USSA a target of 276, before bowling them out for 233.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, SA Emerging got off to a steady start JP King and Litheko putting on 45 runs for the opening partnership. However, Conrad Mouton struck twice in as many deliveries in the seventh over, removing both King (6) and Daniel Smith (0).
Richard Seletswane carved out a patient 14 off 28 balls before becoming the third wicket to fall, and when Mitchell van Buuren (4) departed shortly after, the hosts were precariously placed on 92/4 after 17.2 overs.
While wickets fell around him, Litheko brought up his half-century off 42 balls before eventually falling for 63 (71 balls, 6 fours and 2 sixes). He shared a vital 52-run partnership with Keegan Lion-cachet (30) before USSA hit back, removing both batters in successive overs to leave SA Emerging on 147/6 at the halfway mark.
Galiem and Andile Mogakane then combined for the highest partnership of the innings, putting on 102 to lift their side into ascendancy. Cole Francis finally got the breakthrough, having Mokagane caught for 30.
Esosa Aihevba then wrapped up the tail, taking the last three wickets to bowl SA Emerging out for 275 with three overs to spare, finishing with figures of 4 for 43.
Galiem then led SA Emerging’s defence with the ball, making early inroads by removing Ludwich Schuld (14) and David Teeger (7). Backed up by Siya Plaatjie (1/54) at the other end, the seamers reduced USSA to 34/3 within the first 10 overs.
Lleyton Troskie and Seth Fledermaus set about rebuilding the chase with a 71-run fourth-wicket stand before Caleb Seleka (1/44) had the latter caught for 28. Andile Mogakane (3/38) then struck, dismissing new batter Kaden Solomons for 1 with the score on 112/5.
Thando Prusent added a handy 29 but hopes of a positive result rested on Troskie (74 off 86 balls, 11 fours) and Francis (42). But despite their resistance, the SA Emerging bowlers continued to apply pressure to squeeze the required run rate while striking at regular intervals, eventually dismissing USSA for 233 in 48.2 overs.
SA Emerging will next face Bangladesh Emerging at the same venue on Saturday, 1 August.