Meeka-eel Prince properly announced himself on the SA cricketing landscape today with a majestic 166 (140 balls) to take the North West Dragons to a 3-wicket win against the Rocks in a CSA One Day Cup match at the J.B. Marks Oval.
Chasing 324 for victory, the former SA u.19 batter came to the crease at number 3 with the score on 0/1. The pressure of the situation did not deter Prince as he kept his cool to hit his first list A hundred in only his third match.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
The 19-year old stroked his way to 166 with 15 fours and 6 sixes as he kept his cool whilst facing an experienced Rocks bowling attack, which included, Hardus Viljoen, Glenton Stuurman and Shaun von Berg.
What made the win even more special was the fact that it was the Dragons’ first of the season, after ending on the losing end in their first two matches.
“I wanted to score runs today and take the team over the line, unfortunately I got out. Sen (Senuran Muthusamy) and Patches (Ruan de Swardt) kept me cool and calm during the chase,” stated an elated Prince.
“Coming in at three I had much more time to give myself a chance, as previously I batted at number 7. I knew I could accelerate and keep it at a run-a ball whilst putting the bad balls away,” added Prince.
When Prince lost his wicket with the score on 308/6, the Dragons only needed 16 from 24 balls. Migael Pretorius (11 from 6 balls) joined Rubin Hermann (18 off 19 balls) at the crease to finish off the target. Pretorius hit two boundaries in a row to clinch the win with 9 balls to spare as the Dragons finished on 327/7.
A quick-fire 78-run stand with Lesego Senokwane (31 off 35 balls) and Prince earlier set the scene early on as the Dragons played with intent from the outset, despite losing Lesiba Ngoepe early for a duck.
Ruan “Patches” de Swardt also hit a handy 32 (29) and Senuran Muthusamy contributed 44 (55) as they shared in vital partnerships with Prince in the run chase.
The Rocks were ultimately left frustrated in the field as they failed to defend an imposing score of 323/4. Viljoen was the pick of the Rocks bowlers with 4/67 from 10 overs.
Captain, Pieter Malan, with 171 (130) balls was the star of the show for the Rocks in the first innings. Together with Keegan Petersen’s 121 (129), the pair took charge of the match in the first 50 overs.
On any other day, Malan would have walked away with the player of the match performance.
Prince though crafted his own chapter to end the story in the Dragons’ favour. It promises to be the first of many classy knocks.
