It was a Sunday to remember for Saints Christian School learner and Volkies legspinner, Olefa Padi, at the ongoing CSA National Cubs Week in Stellenbosch, as he picked up match-winning figures of 6/36.
Padi, who is representing the Western Legends at the prestigious tournament, pulled out his bag of tricks against the Eastern Warriors and tore the heart out of their batting line-up to secure a 52-run victory. The Western Legends made 246/8 thanks to a superb 58 from Ikageng Hub’s Olebogeng Scott. The Eastern Warriors could not reach the target after succumbing to the spin wizardry of Padi.
Padi attends Saints but plays cricket for Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom as part of an agreement between the two schools. This is due to the fact that Saints do not offer boys’ cricket at high school level. Padi, under the tutelage of Volkies head coach, Wynand Schmitt, has represented Volkies since his Grade 8 year and has excelled, making numerous NW teams over the course of the past four years.
Saints sports coordinator, Claudio Lucas, says that Padi has been a special talent from the start of his cricketing career as a young boy in Saints colours.
“It’s a special achievement. We always knew that he would be an absolute superstar growing up. He was already taking a lot of five-fors from the age of 11. He got lots of turn and variation, and he has honed his skills as he went on. Hopefully, he has a great season in his final matric year. It would be good to see him breaking into an SA u.19 team this year,” emphasised Lucas.
The top players from the u.19 Khaya Majola Week are selected for the CSA Cubs Week, where six combined teams from all the main unions compete for national glory. This is also a fantastic opportunity for players to strut their stuff in front of talent scouts and selectors.
The Western Legends team is comprised of the top players from North West, Northern Cape and Free State.
Besides Padi, Caiden Seleka (Potch Gimmies) and Olebogeng Scott (Ikageng Hub) represent Potchefstroom as part of this combined elite team.
Seleka has had a decent tournament, getting handy 30s that have helped to stabilise the innings. Scott has also put his hand up with a half-century in the Legends’ victory against the Warriors.
At the time of writing, the Western Legends are taking on the Northern Champions. The Western Legends are on 101/6 after 16 overs.
The tournament is set to conclude on Wednesday, 7 January.
Scorecards:
Western Legends (185 all out) lost to Southern Superstars (270/9) by 85 runs
• Caiden Seleka hits 37 (45)
Western Legends (246/8) beat Eastern Warriors (194 all out) by 52 runs
• Olefa Padi takes 6/36 in 10 overs
• Olebogeng Scott makes 58 (76)
Western Legends (224/9) lost to Coastal Conquerors (227/4) by six wickets
• Caiden Seleka hits 35 (32)
• Eduardo Dreyer scores 54 (82)
