SKZN batting proves brittle
The team will look to bounce back after the two defeats.
THE Southern KwaZulu-Natal cricket team endured a tough weekend, losing both its games in a double-header.
The first game was against Uthangulu at Port Shepstone Country Club last Saturday.
Uthangulu won the toss and sent the hosts in to bat.
The visitors got stuck into the top order and the SKZN batsmen just could not get going and only posted a moderate total of 93 runs.
Uthangulu made quick work of the run chase, knocking off the runs in 22 overs.
Southern KZN did manage to take five wickets, but it wasn’t enough to clinch an unlikely victory.
The next day the team travelled to DHS for a clash against Topham.
Rain played its part and the match was reduced to 40 overs each. The pitch was wet and the outfield damp.
The Topham batsmen applied themselves and posted 199 for seven in 40 overs. This was a very good total considering the conditions.
Raja Kazi was the pick of the bowlers, picking up three for 20 in eight overs.
Southern KZN’s top order couldn’t handle the seaming Topham attack and in the end the visitors were skittled for 65.
On the local front Douglas Mitchell Old Boys travelled to Sezela. Sezela was sent in to bat after losing the toss. On a sticky wicket, Old Boys really put the pressure on Sezela batsmen.
Juan ‘Over the Mountain’ van den Berg took four for 14 in five overs, including a hat-trick. Wicus Pretorius took three for 17 in six overs. Sezela was bowled out for just 79 runs.
Old Boys’ captain Anton Potgieter smashed 41 not out off 25 balls while his youngest brother Dale chipped in with 17 off 12 balls.
The score was passed in the 15th over for the loss of four wickets.
The Douglas Mitchell Colts posted 254 all out in 49 overs against the Hibiscus Colts.
Russell Hughes, out from England for a while, cracked 71, while Gordan Arlow amassed 76 runs.
The visitors could only manage 28 runs in reply. Eric Lohler and Hennie van Jaarsveld took three wickets each, with Juandre Koekemoer and Louis Allison each taking two wickets.
The match between Port Shepstone Country Club and the Knights was rained out.
