Bishops Diocesan College and St David’s Marist will lock horns in the first ever boys’ Final of the Schools SA20 on Saturday at 09h00 at the Tuks Oval in Pretoria. This will be followed by the girls’ Final at 13h30 between Saints Christian School – the only unbeaten team in the competition – and Steyn City School at the same oval.
Both Finals will be broadcast live on SuperSport Channel 216, with the girls’ match also going live to a wide audience on SuperSport Variety 4 (channel 209), a key highlight for girls’ cricket.
This marks the culmination of an entertaining three days of boys’ and girls’ cricket, which has been highlighted by brilliant individual performances, spirited team efforts and the passionate celebration of the game of cricket.
Bishops secured their place in the Final thanks to a seven-wicket victory over Graeme College of Makhanda. Their captain, James Robb-Quinlan (40*) and opening batter Adnaan Lagadien (29) led the charge, and continued their excellent form with the bat this week.
The pair also shared a 103-run partnership for the second wicket against St David’s earlier in the day and will without a doubt have to play a major role again if they want to take the trophy back to Cape Town.
St David’s won their semifinal against Garsfontein from Pretoria by 26 runs. The team from the City of Gold scored 124/8 in their allotted 20 overs with Hayden Campbell (34) making the biggest contribution.
Garsfontein leg-spinning revelation Zizwe Khumalo (2/14) once again was the pick of his side’s bowling attack. Jared Carr (2/17), Echard Struwig (2/21) and Xander Venter (2/30) all also managed to pick up two wickets each.
Garsies were in trouble early on with Morteza Manack (2/16), Campbell (2/16) and Christopher Emslie (2/18) all picking up important wickets. Garsies were bowled out for 98 runs with only Riaan Boshoff (31) managing to give his side’s effort with the bat something to smile about.
The South Africa U19 spin bowler Enathi Kitshini was also on fire in the morning session as he dismissed five batters for a mere eight runs to help the CSA Hub Invitational side to a bonus point three wicket victory over Pearson of Gqeberha.
The girls’ Final will feature a host of South Africa U19 stars as Saints Christian School from Potchefstroom play Steyn City School from Johannesburg.
The early favourites, Steyn City, surprisingly lost their final pool match against Nomandi by 16 runs. Karabo Meso (16) was yet again her team’s top run scorer as they were bundled out for a mere 44 runs thanks to some superb bowling be Enkosi Mditshwa (3/6) and Thembakazo Gegesi (3/8).
South African women’s cricketer Meso was on fire yet again for Steyn City in the morning session, and was duly awarded the Player of the Day red cap.
Meso (64*) struck an unbeaten half-century as her side recorded 119/2 in their allotted 20 overs against Nkowankowa. She shared a 111-run partnership for the second wicket with her fellow SA U19 teammate Diara Ramlakan (42).
Steyn City bagged yet another bonus point with their 63-run victory over Nkowankowa of Tzaneen.
Nkowankowa’s Shelfa Mukhari produced the best bowling performance of the tournament in her side’s 37-run victory over Dr. JL Dube. She picked up five wickets at the cost of only nine runs as Dr. JL Dube stumbled to 49 runs.
Summarised Scores:
BOYS
St David’s Marist 167/5 (Armaan Manack 74, Jason Rowles 31, Kamogelo Phiri 26; Michael Kruiskamp 2/13); Diocesan College 168/2 (Adnaan Lagadien 89*, James Robb-Quinlan 47, Thaafier Japtha 20*; Morteza Manack 1/23). Diocesan College won by eight wickets.
Pearson 72 (Sulaymaan Gangat 19; Enathi Kitshini 5/8, Taywin Adams 2/5); CSA Hub Invitational 76/7 (Olebogeng Scott 19*; Sulaymaan Gangat 2/19). CSA Hub Invitational won by three wickets.
SEMI-FINALS
Graeme College 120/5 (Corbin Tidbury 25, Zuko Pontshi 25, Andrew Muir 25; Luke de Klerk 2/21); Diocesan College 121/3 (James Robb-Quinlan 40*, Adnaan Lagadien 29, Samuel Stavely-Alexander 22, Waco Bassick 20*). Diocesan College won by seven wickets.
St David’s Marist 124/8 (Hayden Campbell 34; Zizwe Khumalo 2/14, Jared Carr 2/17, Echard Struwig 2/21, Xander Venter 2/30); Garsfontein 98 (Riaan Boshoff 31; Morteza Manack 2/16, Hayden Campbell 2/16, Christopher Emslie 2/18). St David’s Marist won by 26 runs.
GIRLS
Morning Session
Steyn City 119/2 (Karabo Meso 64*, Diara Ramlakan 42; Shelfa Mukhari 1/21); Nkowankowa 56 (Extras 16, Respect Mabasa 12; Samia Essop 2/6, Sivaakani Naidoo 2/6, Dominique Ferguson 2/9). Steyn City won by 63 runs.
Victoria Hub 96/9 (Nuhuu Benjamin 30, Extras 22; Enkosi Mditshwa 2/10); Nomandi 45 (Olwethu Njani 17*; Zaurah Titus 3/5, Ashline Titus 3/7, Hamin Toefy 2/5). Victoria Hub won by 51 runs.
Saints Christian School 91/4 (Reabetswe Dithipe 29, Jessica Joshua 22); Dr. JL Dube 22 (Siphumelele Duma 4/5, Tshegofatso Monyela 2/3, Reabetswe Dithipe 2/8). Saint Christian School won by 69 runs.
Afternoon Session
Nkowankowa 86/4 (Faith Nkuna 32*, Blondy Baloyi 25; Anelisa Mhlongo 3/14); Dr. JL Dube 49 (Extras 19; Shelfa Mukhari 5/9). Nkowankowa won by 37 runs.
Nomandi 60 (Extras 18, Yamkela Mnqabashe 10*; Jenna-Lee Lubbe 2/9, Olivia Marais 2/11); Steyn City 44 (Karabo Meso 21; Enkosi Mditshwa 3/6, Thembakazi Gegesi 3/8, Qhawe Tenjwa 2/18). Nomandi won by 16 runs.
Victoria Hub 62 (Imaan van Schalkwyk 21; Siphumelele Duma 3/6, Tshegofatso Monyela 2/18); Saint Christian School 63/5 (Tshegofatso Monyela 31*; Ashline Titus 3/7, Zaurah Titus 2/15). Saint Christian School won by five wickets.