The Eastern Storm marched into the Cricket South Africa (CSA) division two four-day cup final after crushing the Garden Route Badgers by 237 runs at Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn.

Coach Geoffrey Toyana’s men will face the Knights in the final from February 6 to 10.

The team’s win over the Badgers showcased a complete group effort as both batters and bowlers contributed significantly, leading them to their second-last appearance, following their T20 final run in the 2024/25 season.

Batting first, Jurie Snyman (57), Ernest Kemm (54), and Chris Britz (53) built a solid foundation with valuable half-centuries before Dewald Marais – who scored his maiden List A century in their previous match at home against Northern Cape Heat – blasted a 79 off 90 balls in the middle.

Kabelo Sekhukhune also contributed a well-crafted 45 as the top and middle orders batted Easterns to 340 in the first innings.

Andrew Rasemene led the way with the ball with an incredible fifer (5/50), while Kemm followed up his half-century with three wickets, to dismiss the home side for 224.

With a 116-run second innings advantage, Grant Thomson and Jessie Albanie led the Eastern Storm to 267 with knocks of 89 and 58, respectively, setting the hosts 383 to win.

Kemm worked through the Badgers’ order with six wickets, while Thomson bagged two scalps to skittle the home side out for 146, as Easterns advanced to the final with a 237-run victory.

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