Vandiar steers KZN to victory
While the KZN provincial cricket team had a mixed bag of results over the weekend, Johnathan Vandiar showed his excellent batting skills on the field.
KZN'S provincial cricket side recorded a mixed set of results against South Western Districts at Chatsworth Oval this last weekend, claiming a comfortable victory in their Sunfoil Provincial 3-Day Cup clash before falling short in Sunday’s rain-affected CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge fixture.
The hosts clinched a comfortable innings and 75 run victory in the three-day tie thanks in the main to a 136-run fifth wicket stand between Jonathan Vandiar (114) and captain, Daryn Smit (92) while SWD’s Brendon Louw struck 89 in the 50-over clash on Sunday to secure his side an 18 run (D/L) win.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first on Thursday morning, KZN’s Vandiar spent over four hours at the crease as he brought up his sixth first class ton before Smit and Savage saw their side through to 328/7 at the close of play.
Friday morning saw Smit fail to add to his overnight score however Kirsten (60*) made his way to maiden first class half century and his highest score at this level as he saw the local lads through to 362 all out, Glenton Stuurman’s claiming 7/85 with the ball.
Three wickets apiece for Calvin Savage (3/18) and Prenelan Subrayen (3/8) then ripped the heart out of SWD’s first innings reply as the visitors fell for just 118, leading to Smit to enforce the follow on.
With their tails up KZN’s bowlers once again performed admirably as Daryn Dupavillon’s 3/27 saw the visitors finish the second day on 138/5 and with lots of work to do on day three in order to save the game.
Overnight personnel changes due to Sunfoil Dolphins call-ups for Subrayen and Ayavuya Myoli saw the mid-match introduction of Thandi Tshabalala and Rabian Engelbrecht with the latter having an instant effect as he claimed 3/0 to wrap things up early on the third morning.
The win and resultant 17.98 points sees KZN to second position of the competition’s log after their opening two matches.
Eager to make amends in the 50 over contest, SWD turned to Niel Hornbuckle (37) and Waldo Lategan for a sound start after losing the toss and being inserted by KZN.
The pair quickly amassed 73 runs for the opening wicket before Calvin Savage wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming 4/27 in his ten overs.
Louw dug in though as he helped SWD to 237/7 in the 50 overs before rain-affected chase saw them ended on 182/7 after 43 overs, Smit (54*) again contributing with the bat but unable to see his side to victory.
KZN’s next fixture sees them travel to Easterns for a Sunfoil Provincial Three-Day Cup showdown from 12-14 November before the two sides square off in a CSA Provincial T20 Challenge clash next Sunday, 15 November. Visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za for more information.
