Outstanding game of ties at KFC Mini-Cricket festival
The match had more turns and twists than the Bulembu Pass. TUT won the toss and elected to bat. The side made 231 all out in 35 overs.
Limited overs cricket matches seldom end in ties, so when they do, they thrill and excite.
Think of the Australia-South Africa match in the 1999 Cricket World Cup or the 2019 World Cup final between New Zealand and England. Another thrilling tie played itself out in the opening fixture of the Ehlanzeni Promotion League between Malekutu and Nelspruit TUT at Hoërskool Rob Ferreira on Saturday.
The match had more turns and twists than the Bulembu Pass. TUT won the toss and elected to bat. The side made 231 all out in 35 overs. The fulcrum of the innings was a century from captain, Andrew Letswele. He was supported by Jomo Fakude, who made 62. The bowling heroics of Mxolisi Silinda returned figures of 4 wickets for 29. For a while, it looked like Malekutu would chase down the target with ease with
Silinda (58) and Xolane Buthelezi (44) on the crease. That was before TUT’s Teddy Ndlazi showed his skill with the ball. First, he took a stunning catch on the boundary to dismiss Buthelezi and then took three quick wickets to edge TUT closer to victory. But, it was not to be, as Clifford Mhlanga played a blinder of an innings (42 not out). TUT’s next match is against Nelspruit II at Hoërskool Bergvlam, while Malekutu face Impala at Lowveld High. Both matches start at 12:30 on Saturday.
SCORE CARD:
Nelspruit TUT 231 all out (35 overs)
- Andrew Letswele 100
- Jomo Fakude 62
- • Mxolisi Silinda 4-29
- Malekutu 231 – 7 (40 overs)
- Mxolisi Silinda 58
- Clifford Mhlanga 42 not out •
- Teddy Ndlazi 3 – 24
