KwaThema victorious in Brakpan
A wet pitch saw a late start to the match between United Cricket Club’s Premier XI and KwaThema, in the Eastern Premier League, on Sunday, January 19, at Hosking Park.
The game was restricted to 35 overs an innings and United were put in to bat by KwaThema captain Ephraim Nyawo, in a move that proved fruitful for his team.
The away team made the most of the late start and wickets fell cheaply for the Brakpan-based side, as the KwaThema bowlers got some purchase on the sticky track, with back-of-a-length deliveries the weapon of choice for the quick bowlers.
The shorter deliveries were troublesome for the United batsmen and this was proven when experienced campaigner Brendon Frost was hit in the throat.
Justin Gamble’s team managed a score of only 132/9 in their 35 overs – a target that would prove to be too little, as the KwaThema team chased down the score with six wickets in hand in the 31st over.
United’s best batsman on the day was Aidan Justus, who scored 28, followed by JP Meade (21) and Michael du Plessis (21 not out).
Du Plessis was also the best of the United bowlers, with figures of 2/14 in seven overs.
According to team manager Des Gamble, the side were basically responsible for their own fate.
“We could easily have taken the two points each for a rain draw, with the wet pitch, but we realised that it is no longer about getting points, as we are out of contention in the league anyway,” he said.
“We just wanted to play cricket and get some time out in the middle.”
He added that batting first proved to be difficult and, when the pitch flattened out in the afternoon, there was just nothing on offer for the United bowlers in the second innings.
The team will next play Tembisa, at Hosking Park, on Sunday, January 26, with the first delivery scheduled to be bowled at 9.30am.
