03 Feb Hermann stars on opening day of Cubs Week
STELLENBOSCH: A dashing century by Jordan Hermann on the opening day of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Under-19 Franchise Cubs Week helped the Momentum Multiply Titans surge to a 94-run victory over the VKB Knights in Stellenbosch on Wednesday.
The left-hander blasted four sixes and 12 fours in a fine innings of 139 off 154 balls as the Centurion-based franchise made a bright start to the 14th edition of the tournament, which is being staged in a bio-secure environment (BSE) at the University of Stellenbosch.
There were also wins for the Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras and the Imperial Lions in what is the first national tournament being played in adherence with Covid-19 protocols.
The biggest star of the day, however, was Hermann after his explosive innings helped the Titans amass an impressive 267 for six after winning the toss and batting at Maties C Field.
The opener held his side together by being in the middle for 48.3 overs, with support coming via Ryan Maxi (46) and Hardus Coetzer (26*).
Reeza Alexander initially helped the Central Franchise make a good fight with the reply thanks to his 56 off 67 balls (8 fours, 1 six).
But he lacked any decent support as wickets tumbled around him.
Coetzer completed a strong all-round game by being the chief destroyer with three for 21 – the Knights bowled out for173.
At Tassies Oval, meanwhile, the two Liam’s – McCarthy and Alder – shared eight wickets to ensure the Lions made a strong start with a commanding six-wicket win over the Warriors.
After winning the toss and bowling, the Johannesburg-based outfit sizzled with the ball by dismissing their opponents for just 162 in 41 overs. McCarthy claimed four for 26 and Alder nabbed four for 32.
Only Warriors captain George van Heerden managed to get the better of the better, but he eventually ran out of partners and was left stranded on a 71* (89 balls, 9 fours).
Hienrigh Pieterse (58* off 83 balls, 7 fours) and Reuben du Toit (54 off 40 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes) both then hit half-centuries as the Lions cruised to victory with nearly 20 overs to spare.
Finally, the Cobras proved too good for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at the main Coetzenburg Oval, sealing a mighty 83-run win over the KwaZulu-Natal outfit.
Captain Daniel Smith lead the way with the bat for the Cape side as they posted 218 all out after losing the toss and being asked to bat first.
Kai Curran (38) and Siyambonga Nyawose (33*) were the only other batsmen to cross 30, with Joshua Stride the pick of the bowlers with his three for 27 – ensuring the opposition were all out in 44.5 overs.
But the Dolphins’ innings unravelled even more quickly as they were blown away for 135.
Their captain Luc Benkenstein hit an unbeaten 58 off 75 balls (6 fours, 1 six) but lacked support in an innings that lasted 38 overs. Nicholas Hatton also struck 44. In the end Darian Naidoo’s four for 36 proved key in what was an excellent start for the Cobras.
The tournament, with selected matches live streamed on SuperSport channel 245 via the DSTV Now app, is the foundation of the Talent Acceleration Programme (TAP) and all the players competing have a chance to be selected in the SA Under-19 squad that is due to be announced shortly after its conclusion.
Day two of the U19 Franchise Cubs Week continues on Thursday. To follow all the action live from Stellenbosch, visit https://www.pitchvision.com/.
FIXTURES
Thursday, 04 February 2021
Imperial Lions vs Hollywoodbets Dolphins at Maties D Field, Stellenbosch
Momentum Multiply Titans vs Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras at Tassies Oval, Stellenbosch
Warriors vs VKB Knights at Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch
Friday, 05 February 2021
Imperial Lions vs VKB Knights at Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch
Momentum Multiply Titans vs Hollywoodbets Dolphins at Tassies Oval, Stellenbosch
Warriors vs Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras at Maties C Field, Stellenbosch
Saturday, 06 February 2021
Imperial Lions vs Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras at Tassies Oval, Stellenbosch
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs VKB Knights at Maties C Field, Stellenbosch
Momentum Multiply Titans vs Warriors at Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch
Sunday, 07 February 2021
Final: 1st vs 2nd at Coetzenburg Oval, Stellenbosch
3rd vs 4th at Tassies Oval, Stellenbosch
5th vs 6th Maties D Field, Stellenbosch
TEAMS:
HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS CUBS: Slade van Staden (KZN Inland), Nicholas Hatton (KZN Inland), Andile Simelane (KZN Inland), Luc Bekenstein (KZN Inland), Keagan Crawford (KZN Inland), Matthew Boast (KZN Inland), Sanele Mbatha (KZN Inland), Colbe Dyer (KZN Inland), Chad Laycock (KZN Coastal), Ronan Vardaya (KZN Coastal), Thulani Cheliza (KZN Coastal), Joshua Stride (KZN Coastal), Banele Cele (KZN Coastal), Andile Wanda (KZN Coastal).
IMPERIAL LIONS CUBS: Phemelo Sepathi (North West), Liam McCarthy (GCL), Heinrigh Pieterse (GCL), Taheer Isaacs (GCL), Gerard Coetzee (GCL), Michael Copeland (GCL), Caleb Seleka (North-West), Nkhanyiso Mkhize (GCL), Simo Potelwa (GCL), Zack Momberg (GCL), Liam Alder (GCL), Ronan Herrmann (GCL), Reuben du Toit (GCL), Samuel Ruwisi (GCL).
MOMENTUM MULTIPLY TITANS CUBS: Om Thakkar (Northerns), Jordan Hermann (Northerns), Zeeshan Ismail (Northerns), Kagiso Ngwenya (Northerns), Akhulile Makatu (Mpumalanga), Jan Hendrik (Hardus) Coetzer (Northerns), Khayalethu (Khaya) Nyamathe (Easterns), Christiaan Daniels (Northerns), Ryan Maxl (Easterns), Selo (Valentine) Kitime (Northerns), Dewald Brevis (Northerns), Jabulani Nkosi (Northerns), Khaif Patel (Limpopo), Nathan Steyn (Easterns).
SIX GUN GRILL CAPE COBRAS CUBS: Daniel Smith (Western Province), Ethan Cunningham (Western Province), Kai Curran (Western Province), Siyambonga Nyawose (Western Province), Dewald Grove (Boland), Kamvelethu Feni (South Western Districts), Michael Levitt (Western Province), Nicholas Kevy (Boland), Kaden Solomon (Western Province), Nathan Jacobs (Boland), Darian Naidoo (Western Province), Ayabonga Ngondo (South Western Districts), Salmaan Ajam (Western Province), Asakhe Tsaka (Western Province).
WARRIORS CUBS: Adam du Plessis, Jade Smith, Ziphozinhle Ruiters, George van Heerden, Sonwabiso Tshona, Garwin Dampies, Ethan Frosler, Adam Richards, Lihle Sizani, Matt Fourie, Joshua Stevenson, Eli Thorne, Hlonela Bune, Aphiwe Mnyanda.
VKB KNIGHTS CUBS: JD Bruwer (Free State), Yusuf Suliman (Northern Cape), Reeza Alexander (Free State), Boitumelo Melesi (Northern Cape), Gerrit Badenhorst (Free State), Lerato Nqoyi (Free State), Mvula Chabalala (Free State), Matthew Davids (Free State), Mbongi Mhlanga (Free State), Marco Fouche (Free State), Zander Rasmussen (Free State), Liam Doherty (Free State), Sello Sesing (Free State), GJ Maree (Free State).