Tag: Keshav Maharaj

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Wolvaardt Extends Command at the Top of the MVP Rankings

Captain Laura Wolvaardt has concluded the successful home series against Pakistan as the overall leader of the Proteas Women SACA…

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Simmonds and Kemm Crowned 4-Day Series SACA MVP Winners

Kyle Simmonds and Ernest Kemm end the CSA 4-Day Series with top honours in the SACA MVP rankings in the…

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Bosch and Brevis Lead the Charge After West Indies Series Victory

Following a successful 2-1 T20i series victory over the West Indies, the latest Proteas SACA MVP rankings showcase a significant…

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Bosch Powers to Proteas SACA MVP Summit

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has released the updated Proteas Men’s MVP rankings for the 2025/26 season following the conclusion of the tour to Pakistan.

Using the objective data from the CricViz-powered SACA MVP rankings to highlight the performance of individual players as the squad immediately shifts focus to the demanding Test series in India.

The rise of all-rounder Corbin Bosch, who leads the overall Proteas Men’s MVP with 269.943 MVP points. Bosch’s consistent high-impact performance across all formats, including Test, ODI, and T20I, confirmed his position as the season’s most valuable player thus far.

Looking at the format leaders, Wiaan Mulder remains the top-ranked player in the Test rankings with 154.959 MVP points. His red-ball form, anchored by a record individual score earlier in the season, ensures a strong core for the upcoming Test matches.

In the limited-overs formats, Dewald Brevis dominates the T20 International standings with 165.839 MVP points, reflecting his consistent strike-rate and boundary-hitting prowess in the shortest format.

Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj is the most consistent performer in the One-Day International format, leading the ODI rankings with 66.483 MVP points for his ability to control the game and take key wickets.

“The Pakistan tour was a good exercise in building depth, and the SACA MVP rankings clearly indicate the resilience and individual capability that emerged,” said Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO. “For an all-rounder like Corbin Bosch to lead the overall rankings speaks volumes about his individual value.”

The SACA MVP rankings, driven by the analytical partnership with CricViz, move beyond traditional statistics to deliver an objective measure of player influence. This sophisticated model assesses a player’s performance on every ball, factoring in match-defining moments, opposition strength, and the high-pressure context of tournament play, providing an accurate reflection of their objective value.

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New Season’s Proteas Men SACA MVP Leaders

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has released the latest Proteas SACA MVP rankings following the conclusion of a jam-packed start to the international season with tours to Zimbabwe, Australia and England. The rankings, powered by CricViz’s data, provide an objective assessment of player performance across a demanding period of international fixtures.

The new season’s first dominant performances belong to young sensation Dewald Brevis, who has soared to the summit of the Overall Proteas SACA MVP rankings with a commanding 208.621 MVP points. He came into the recent series against England with a significant lead, having already produced a breathtaking, unbeaten 125 from just 56 balls against Australia—a new record for the highest individual T20I score by a Proteas batter. In the recent ODI series against England, Brevis demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure, including a crucial 42 off 20 balls in the second match at Lord’s. His quick scoring helped the team recover and build a winning total, which saw him take the lead in the T20i rankings with 158.554 MVP points.

The One Day International (ODI) rankings are led by the seasoned spin maestro, Keshav Maharaj, who holds the top spot with 66.483 MVP points. His consistency and top performances have propelled him to the top of the rankings and have seen him become the ICC Men’s ODI bowler rankings after a sensational start to the season. His masterclass in the first ODI against Australia, where he bamboozled the opposition with a career-best 5/33, followed by a commanding 4/22 in the first ODI against England, earned him Player of the Series honours.

In Test rankings, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder sits atop the rankings with an impressive 150.71 MVP points. This feat was cemented by a truly historic performance against Zimbabwe, where his epic unbeaten knock of 367 became the highest individual score by a South African in Test history, a monumental effort that showcased his immense patience and skill.

The SACA MVP system, a partnership with CricViz, moves beyond traditional statistics to measure a player’s true value. This sophisticated model assesses a player’s influence on every single ball, taking into account their batting, bowling, and fielding. It meticulously factors in the context of the game, including the strength of the opposition, the playing conditions, and high-pressure situations, to provide the most accurate measure of a player’s contribution.

“The start of this international season has been absolutely electric, and the MVP rankings have captured the individual brilliance that has fuelled the team’s success,” said Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO. “From Dewald’s record-breaking T20 innings to Wiaan’s historic Test knock and Keshav’s masterful ODI performance that not only topped our rankings but also earned him the number one spot in the world. These players have delivered incredible performances and have continued to inspire a nation. Their achievements are a testament to their dedication, and we look forward to more strong performances this season.”

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SACA Congratulates Proteas Men SACA MVP winners

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) congratulates the Proteas men’s team on an incredibly successful 2024/25 season. This remarkable year is further highlighted by the exceptional individual performances celebrated in the SACA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Rankings, meticulously compiled in partnership with CricViz.

This season has been a testament to the dedication, passion and resilience of the Proteas squad. Their journey to becoming World Test Champions and reaching the finals of the ICC T20 World Cup is a source of immense pride.

Leading the charge in individual recognition, all-rounder Marco Jansen has firmly held onto his top spot in the overall Proteas Men SACA MVP rankings. Jansen’s all-format brilliance saw him amass an impressive 364.298 MVP points, finishing 7.24 points ahead of Aiden Markram (357.058 MVP points) and Tristan Stubbs (340.424 MVP points). Jansen’s impactful contributions with bat and ball have helped in his steady ascension to the top of the rankings.

In red-ball, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada concludes the season at the pinnacle of the Test rankings. Rabada’s relentless pace and crucial wicket-taking abilities in each test match were instrumental in the Proteas’ wins. He finished top of the Proteas Men SACA MVP test rankings on 208.863 MVP points, followed by the ever-consistent Keshav Maharaj (178.482 MVP points) in second and Aiden Markram (176.062 MVP points) in third position.

The Proteas also showcased explosive individual performances in white-ball cricket. Heinrich Klaasen dominated in the One Day Internationals, finishing the season on 85.11 MVP points in six matches. Klaasen’s explosive hitting and crucial contributions were particularly highlighted by his fifth consecutive 50-plus score in ODIs. In the T20 International format, Marco Jansen again showcased his all-round prowess, ending the season at the top of the T20i rankings with 163.63 MVP points.

The SACA Most Valuable Player Rankings, powered by the cutting-edge analytics of CricViz, offer an in-depth, objective reflection of player impact. This sophisticated algorithm goes beyond traditional statistics, considering expected performance on every ball according to CricViz’s extensive venue, event and player database. It calculates batting, bowling, and fielding performances, factors in match-defining contributions, and even accounts for the historic performances of the venue where each fixture is played. This comprehensive analysis, which quantifies a player’s influence in runs scored, conceded, and saved, provides a more accurate reflection of the top performers in the game compared to conventional batting and bowling averages.

Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO, stated: “This has been an extraordinary season for the Proteas men’s team, starting the season as finalists in the T20 World Cup final and ending as the victors of the Test Championship. SACA is incredibly proud of every player’s commitment and achievements. The SACA MVP rankings enable us to truly celebrate the multifaceted contributions of our MVPs, such as Marco, Kagiso, and Heinrich. Their outstanding statistics across formats, as accurately measured by the MVP, are a testament to their dedication and skill.”

Khaya Zondo, SACA President, added: “What a magnificent season it has been for the Proteas! We have witnessed a historic season in South African cricket, a testament to the collective spirit and unwavering commitment of this team. A massive congratulations to our SACA MVP winners – Marco, Kagiso and Heinrich. Even through their individual brilliance, it is the unity and shared purpose that have enabled the Proteas to achieve historic greatness in a single season. This team has inspired a nation and has set the bar for the future.

Proteas Men SACA MVP Rankings as of 17 June 2025:

Overall Rankings
Test Rankings
ODI Rankings
T20i Rankings
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Maharaj Maintains Top Spot in Proteas SACA Test MVP Rankings

Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj has held onto the pinnacle of the Proteas Men SACA MVP Test rankings following the conclusion of the Pakistan series, South Africa’s seventh Test victory in the 2024/25 season. Maharaj’s consistent wicket-taking prowess, particularly his five-wicket haul in the final Test at Newlands, has propelled him to the top of the leaderboard with 170.997 MVP points.

Hot on Maharaj’s heels is Kagiso Rabada, who occupies second position with 170.132 MVP points, followed by Kyle Verreynne in third with 150.13 MVP points.

The Proteas continue to pursue success in the longest form of the game as they look forward to the Test Championship Final later this year.

In the overall Proteas SACA MVP rankings, Tristan Stubbs currently holds the top spot. However, Marco Jansen (Player of the Series in the Pakistan Test series), is steadily closing the gap with his exceptional performances across formats.

The Proteas SACA MVP rankings are determined through a meticulous process that considers various factors, including player performance, match impact, and contextual factors. The rankings provide a comprehensive assessment of player contributions, recognizing those who have consistently excelled throughout the season.

The rankings are a testament to the outstanding performances of Proteas players and recognize the impact of individual performances on the team’s success.

Proteas Men SACA MVP Overall Rankings as of 7 January 2025
Proteas Men SACA MVP Test Rankings as of 7 January 2025
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ZONDO & VAN WYK GUIDE HEAT CHASE

Fifties from Morne van Wyk and Khaya Zondo helped Durban Heat to a consolatory six-wicket win over Cape Town Blitz at a sunny Newlands on Sunday afternoon.

Durban Heat are already out of the running for a playoff position at the business end of the Mzansi Super League, and their opposition today were already assured of an automatic ticket to a home final next Sunday thanks to Jozi Stars’ loss earlier in the day, but a 79-run stand between van Wyk and Zondo allowed Heat to leave Cape Town with a win and their pride intact.

Chasing a challenging 161 for 6, Heat lost opener Sarel Erwee in the first over and an off-colour Hashim Amla just after the Powerplay, but van Wyk and Zondo soon brought their chase back on track. Van Wyk lead the way early on, bringing up a 42-ball fifty in the 14th over, but Zondo was also quickly into his stride.

Zondo whipped Malusi Siboto over cow corner for his first six in the 13th over and then flat-batted a full toss from medium pacer Ferisco Adams over extra cover to take the asking rate under 10. Van Wyk’s dismissal, pulling Dale Steyn into the hands of Sibonelo Makhanya at deep square leg to fall for 56 in the 16th over, tipped the balance once more, but Zondo responded in style.

Adams was dispatched for back-to-back sixes at the start of the 16th over – the first of which brought up Zondo’s 35-ball fifty, and David Miller then biffed Nandre Burger over wide long on to take the equation down to just five from the final over. Zondo top-edged the first ball of that last over, bowled by Siboto, to third man for four to level the scores, and though he fell straight afterwards aiming to end the game with a flourish, Miller tapped the winning single wide of mid-off to guide Heat home.

The total Heat were chasing was largely due to another adventurous innings from Quinton de Kock, who maintained his hot streak with the bat with an unbeaten 86 from 55 deliveries to power the Blitz innings. De Kock was not off to his usual flier – a probing first spell from Rashid Khan inside the Powerplay made sure of that – but he picked up momentum through the innings.

De Kock lost his opening partner Janneman Malan in the first over of the innings, bowled by Khan for his first duck in an otherwise remarkably consistent performance through this tournament, and with Dawid Malan also quickly undone by Kyle Abbott, Blitz ended the Powerplay at a modest 28 for 2.

Halfway through the innings, de Kock’s strike rate was well under a run a ball, but he found his groove against Tladi Bokako, taking 17 off his third over, and a brace of fours off Keshav Maharaj brought up his 34-ball fifty in the 13th over.

From that point onwards, de Kock shifted through the gears despite a committed effort with the ball from Heat, attacking the short boundary against Rashid with some audacious hitting. Reverse sweeps from consecutive deliveries in the 19th over, bowled by Rashid, both brought sixes and alongside Mohammad Nawaz he rattled through a 51-run, fifth-wicket stand from just 25 deliveries. Thanks to van Wyk and Zondo’s contributions, however, Heat did at least leave Cape Town with a win.

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ABBOTT SPEARHEADS THE HEAT TO THEIR FIRST VICTORY

Kyle Abbott bowled the Durban Heat to their opening Mzansi Super League victory after the rain intervened at Kingsmead on Wednesday afternoon.

Abbott claimed 4/27 to restrict the Tshwane Spartans 139/9, with the visitors only batting 19 overs due to weather disruptions. The Heat’s batsmen managed to get up to 129/6 after 16.3 overs before the heavens opened once more, forcing the players off for the final time.

That was enough to take the points with the Heat ahead of the Duckworth Lewis par-score of 120, thereby handing the home team victory by 10 runs.

It certainly was a day for the bowlers with only Tshwane Spartans opening batsman Gihahn Cloete striking the ball with any form of fluency. Cloete soared to the top of the Mzansi Super League run-scoring charts with 55 off 43 balls (7×4).

Unfortunately for the Spartans, Cloete did not have a partner to sustain the momentum. Only Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikander Raza managed 20 off 20 balls before Abbott cleaned up the Tshwane middle-order.

Even AB de Villiers failed for the first time in this tournament with the former Standard Bank Proteas captain being trapped LBW by Keshav Maharaj while attempting a reverse-sweep.

The Heat run-chase never quite raced out of the blocks with solid contributions from Hashim Amla (24), Morne van Wyk (22), Heinrich Klaasen (21) keeping the home team up with the required run-rate before a rapid 50-run partnership between Khaya Zondo (25 off 11 balls) and Albie Morkel (26 off 12 balls) for the fifth-wicket raised the tempo of the innings.

Lutho Sipamla tried valiantly for the Spartans with 3/22, but it was not enough to deny the Heat their first victory of the competition.

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MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES FINALISED T20 SQUADS

The inaugural Mzansi Super League (MSL) T20 Player Draft was held today at Montecasino in Johannesburg today.

Each team had already been allocated a Marquee Standard Bank Protea player. Today the teams made their picks from the six International Marquee Players and then filled the remaining 14 places in each squad from the foreign and South African players who had applied to enter the draft.

In the mini-round to select the International Marquee Players, the Durban heat had first call and went for Rashid Khan of Afghanistan, the No. 1 ranked bowler in the current ICC T20 rankings. They were followed by the Jozi Stars who went for Chris Gayle of the Windies. Paarl Rocks followed with another Windies player, Dwayne Bravo. Cape Town Blitz then took Dawid Malan of England followed by Tshwane Spartans with England white ball captain Eoin Morgan and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants with England opening batsman Jason Roy.

In round one proper, the Giants led off with Chris Morris, followed by the Spartans with Lungi Ngidi, the Blitz with Andile Phehlukwayo, the Rocks with Tabraiz Shamsi, the Stars with Kolpak star Dane Vilas and the Heat with David Miller.

Lutho Sipamla became the first rookie to be chosen in Round Eight by the Spartans and they followed with another rookie in Tony de Zorzi in Round Nine. Other rookies signed were Sinethemba Qeshile for the Stars, Dyllan Matthews for the Giants, Okuhle Cele for the Heat, Eathan Bosch for the Rocks, and Kyle Verreynne for the Blitz.

The resulting teams are a unique blend of both local youth and international experience which is sure to make for some very exciting cricket.

The Draft order was predetermined by a weighted Player Matrix system. The players who are eligible for the main Draft are those who entered into a binding agreement to enter the Draft.

FINAL SQUADS

(in order of Protea Marquee Player, International Marquee Player, and then the 14 draft rounds, making a total of 16 players per squad)

CAPE TOWN BLITZ: Quinton de Kock, Dawid Malan (England), Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Samuel Badree (Windies), Asif Ali (Pakistan), Farhaan Behardien, Anrich Nortje, Janneman Malan, Malusi Siboto, George Linde, Ferisco Adams, Jason Smith, Sibonelo Makhanya, Kyle Verreynne (rookie), Dane Piedt.

DURBAN HEAT: Hashim Amla, Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Abbott (kolpak), Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo, Albie Morkel, Marchant de Lange (kolpak), Vernon Philander, Brandon Mavuta (Zimbabwe), Temba Bavuma, Morne van Wyk, Okuhle Cele (rookie), Sarel Erwee, Tladi Bokako.

JOZI STARS: Kagiso Rabada, Chris Gayle (Windies), Dane Vilas, Rassie van der Dussen, Daniel Christian (Australia), Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Eddie Leie, Pite van Biljon, Duanne Olivier, Ryan Rickelton, Sinethemba Qeshile (rookie), Simon Harmer, Calvin Savage, Alfred Mothoa.

NELSON MANDELA BAY GIANTS: Imran Tahir, Jason Roy (England), Chris Morris, Jon-Jon Smuts, Junior Dala, Christiaan Jonker, Aaron Phangiso, Ben Duckett (England), Sisanda Magala, Ryan McLaren, Heino Kuhn, Marco Marais, Dyllan Matthews (rookie), Lizaad Williams, Rudi Second, Carmi le Roux.

PAARL ROCKS: Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo (Windies), Tabraiz Shamsi, Dane Paterson, Aiden Markram, Mangaliso Mosehle, Bjorn Fortuin, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Grant Thomson, Paul Stirling (Ireland), Tshepo Moreki, Henry Davids, Cameron Delport , Eathan Bosch (rookie), Patrick Kruger, Kerwin Mungroo.

TSHWANE SPARTANS: AB de Villiers, Eoin Morgan (England), Lungi Ngidi, Robbie Frylinck, Jeewan Mendis (Sri Lanka), Theunis de Bruyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Sean Williams (Zimbabwe), Gihahn Cloete, Lutho Sipamla (rookie), Tony de Zorzi (rookie), Dean Elgar, Andrew Birch, Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Shaun von Berg, Eldred Hawken.

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MOTHOA’S PUTS TITANS AHEAD ON DAY 1

A career-best five-for from Alfred Mothoa handed the Multiply Titans the advantage at the end of the opening day of the 4-Day Franchise Series season against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in Centurion on Wednesday.

The medium-pacer claimed five for 55 to help the reigning champions bowl out the visitors for 269 shortly before stumps, before replying with nine for one – a deficit of 260 at SuperSport Park.

There were also two wickets apiece for Chris Morris (2/34) and Shaun von Berg (2/71) as the relatively inexperienced Dolphins batting line-up struggled.

Only Sibonelo Makhanya troubled the home side with his own franchise-best score of 86 (156 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes) as those around him struggled.

The Durbanites had won the toss and opted to bat at the start, with debutants Grant Roelofsen and Jason Oakes (both 31) putting on a solid 52 for the opening wicket. But after the dependable Vaughn van Jaarsveld was cleaned up second ball for one by Mothoa, the visitors lost their way.

Roelofsen followed not long after, while Senuran Muthusamy (7), Cody Chetty (34), Calvin Savage (15) and Robbie Frylinck (0) failed to assert themselves. It left the Dolphins on 143 for seven in the 55th over and facing an early bowl out.

However, Makhanya finally found an able partner in captain Keshav Maharaj (41), with the pair adding 90 for the eighth wicket to frustrate the Titans. The former was eventually last man out with his side dismissed in 83.5 overs.

The latter then claimed the wicket of Tony de Zorzi (one) to give the away side hope heading into day two.

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CAREER-BEST MORNE SPEARHEADS HUGE WIN FOR PROTEAS AND 2-1 SERIES LEAD

Morne Morkel came agonisingly close to his first ever 10-wicket haul as he spearheaded the Standard Bank Proteas to their second successive four-day victory over Australia at PPC Newlands on Sunday.

He took 5/23, including two wickets off successive balls, to go with his 4/87 in the first innings to give him a career-best 9/110 in the match. It was the first time he had taken 9 wickets in a Test match. He was named Sunfoil Man of the Match.

He was instrumental in Australia’s second innings collapse that saw them lose all 10 wickets for 50 runs after an opening stand of 57 between David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

The Australians had been set an improbable world record of 430 for victory following second innings half-centuries by Quinton de Kock (65 off 97 balls, 8 fours and a six) and Vernon Philander 952 not out off 79 balls, 6 fours and a six). It meant that the Proteas followed their 199 for the last four wickets in the previous Test in Port Elizabeth with 173 for the last 5 wickets this time out.

The Proteas margin of victory of 322 runs was their second largest in terms of runs margin being beaten only by the 323-runs margin in the last pre-unity series in 1970.

The Australia collapse was started by a direct hit run out by Faf du Plessis which saw the bowlers receive excellent back-up in the field. AB de Villiers and Aiden Markram both took superb catches close to the wicket while Temba Bavuma was also responsible for a run out.

While Morkel deserved the bowling plaudits there was also a fine contribution from Keshav Maharaj who, like Morkel, stood on the brink of a hat trick at one stage.

The Proteas now head to the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium for the final Sunfoil Test of the series with a 2-1 lead and the chance to score their first home series victory over Australia since unity.

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CAREER-BEST MAHARAJ BOWLS DOLPHINS TO WARRIORS WIN

Keshav Maharaj’s career-best bowling figures spurred the Hollywoodbets Dolphins on to a first Sunfoil Series win of the season as they beat the Warriors by 55 runs on the final day at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

The Standard Bank Proteas spinner and stand-in captain claimed seven for 76 – the best bowling figures by any bowler in 2017/18 – to help his side claim the final four wickets and bowl the hosts out for 230 before lunch.

The Warriors had been chasing a target of 286 and resumed the final day on 172 for six, but were dismissed in 78.5 overs as the visitors claimed only the third overall win of the campaign to stay in the hunt for the title.

Simon Harmer and Clyde Fortuin, both on four, were the two unbeaten batsmen at the start, and they kept their side in contention for the opening 10 overs when they shifted the score on to 199 for six.

But the latter fell to Senuran Muthusamy for 15 to open the door for the Dolphins and Maharaj then took out Ayabulela Gqamane (12) and Tladi Bokako (0) both leg before wicket with the total on 212.

Anrich Nortje (3) was then run out, leaving Harmer, the hero with the ball for the Warriors after he took 12 wickets earlier in the game, stranded on 36.

Maharaj, meanwhile, improved on his previous best figures of seven for 89 in the same fixture last season as his side reduced the gap at the top of the table.

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RABADA LEADS PROTEAS TO EMPHATIC 333-RUN VICTORY

 

Kagiso Rabada  took on the responsibility of leading the attack in the absence of Morne Morkel in spectacular style as the Standard Bank Proteas thrashed Bangladesh by 333 runs with time and overs to spare on the final day of the first Sunfoil Test match at Senwes Park in Potchofstroom on Monday.

Rabada needed just 19 balls to blow away what was left of the Bangladesh top order with three wickets, including that of captain Mushfiqur Rahim to the third ball he send down.

For good measure Rabada also produced a bullet throw from the deep for a run out before Keshav Maharaj wrapped up what was left of the innings to finish with 7 wickets in the match. This gave him 50 wickets in only 12 Test matches to put him on the list of South Africa’s top performers to this landmark.

The Bangladesh innings lasted only 83 minutes as 7 wickets fell for 41 runs.

Only three of their batsmen reached double figures in this innings in a total of 90 all out. Maharaj finished with 4/25 and Rabada with 3/33.

Dean Elgar was named Sunfoil Man of the Match.

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ELGAR AND BAVUMA KEEP ENGLAND AT BAY

Dean Elgar  was battered, bruised but unbowed but he and Temba Bavuma guided the Standard Bank Proteas to the less stormy waters of the close of play on the fourth day of the third Test match at The Oval in London on Sunday.

England nevertheless held an overwhelming advantage as they reduced the Proteas to 117/4 in pursuit of a victory target 492 from an initial 148 overs. Victory will give England a 2-1 lead in the series and will mean that they retain the Basil d’Oliveira Trophy.

At one stage it looked as though England would win the match on the fourth day after Ben Stokes back up his century in the first innings by dismissing Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis off successive balls with Bavuma coming to the crease on a hat trick.

But Bavuma, as he has had to do too often in the past, proved to be the right man to stabilize the innings in partnership with Elgar. By the close of play they had shared an unbroken stand of 65 for the fifth wicket with Elgar on 72 (111 balls, 11 fours) and Bavuma on 16 (59 balls, 1 four).

Elgar got hit on the hand several times and also on different parts of his body and, if he does go on to complete his 8th Test century, he will have earned it the hard day. This is his third half-century of the series and he has been far and away the most consistent batsman for his team. He was clearly in significant distress and many of his strokes were played almost one-handed.

He and Bavuma are certainly the best men on current form for the crisis in which the Proteas find themselves and it does pose the question as to whether Bavuma should be moved up the order for the final Test match at Old Trafford, starting on Friday.

The Proteas did a reasonable bowling job on the fourth day with Keshav Maharaj chipping away at the middle-order to take three wickets (3/50 in 13.5 overs) but the damage had already been done when England claimed a lead of 178 on the first innings and their position was consolidated by Tom Westley (59 off 141 balls, 11 fours), Joe Root (50 off 94 balls, 6 fours) and Jonny Bairstow (63 off 58 balls, 6 fours and a six).

Stokes was the pick of the England attack when it came to their turn to bowl (2/29 in an eight-over spell) but all the England bowlers proved hard to handle and the key fact is that they have been more successful than their Proteas counterparts in putting the ball in the right spot consistently.

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PROTEAS WIN FINAL ENGLAND ODI

Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell cut a swathe through the England top order, taking 6/20 between them in the first five overs, as the Standard Bank Proteas coasted to a seven-wicket victory in the final match of their ODI Series at Lord’s on Monday.

It came too late to affect the outcome of the series which England won 2-1 but the visitors made an important statement ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament with their opening match against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Saturday.

The other teams in their Pool are India and Pakistan.

Rabada, on his first international visit to Lord’s, had figures of 4/39 while Parnell took 3/43, the other three wickets falling to Keshav Maharaj.

What will have pleased the Proteas most, was their improved fielding with Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis – his first one was a special effort – taking two catches each in the slips at the height of the new ball onslaught on a surface that provided assistance to the seamers throughout the match.

Parnell also swung the ball effectively and his two wickets up front of Joe Root and Eoin Morgan were particularly important ones.

The recalled Jonny Bairstow stabilised the England innings with 51 before he walked down the pitch to Maharaj and was stumped by Quinton de Kock by a distance.

England’s total of 153 in 31.1 overs – the match in total only last 60 overs – was well short of par and that became evident when De Kock and Hashim Amla sharing an opening stand of 95 – easily the highest of the match. In the process Amla completed 7 000 ODI runs when he reached 23 and once again was easily the fastest to his latest landmark.

AB de Villiers, who completed the series by winning all three tosses, also achieved a landmark of 100 ODI captaincies and he and JP Duminy completed the facile victory.

Rain threatened throughout the day and the weather must be a concern for all the Champions Trophy participants. It is a very short tournament and no side will be able to afford a washout. Australia’s warm-up match against Pakistan only lasted a handful of overs and South Africa A again were only able to bat half an innings in their second warm-up match against Derbyshire.

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DE KOCK TURNS IN ANOTHER FIVE-STAR PERFORMANCE

Quinton de Kock  matched the previous performances of superstars Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers when he was named South African Cricketer of the Year and in all received a total of five awards at a glittering Cricket South Africa (CSA) awards function in Kyalami on Saturday evening.

Only Kagiso Rababa has done better with his six CSA awards last year. The other nine players to have received CSA’s most prestigious award are Jacques Kallis (2004 and 2011), Makhaya Ntini (2005 and 2006), Hashim Amla (2010 and 2013) and AB de Villiers (2014 and 2015) who have all won the award twice with the other previous winners being Shaun Pollock (2007), Dale Steyn (2008), Graeme Smith (2009), Vernon Philander (2012) and Rabada (2016).

In addition to the main award, De Kock was named Standard Bank Test Cricketer of the Year and Standard Bank ODI Cricketer of the Year, was honoured by his peers by being named SA Players’ Player of the Year and by the fans on being named SA Fans Player of the Year.

De Kock did, in fact, receive a sixth award which was for being named the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year.

His statistics for the year were remarkable, highlighted by his ODI innings of 178 against Australia in a series that saw him score 300 runs at an average of exactly 60 and a strike rate in excess of 137. His Test match performances were notable for his ability to score big runs when needed and to take the game away from the opposition.

In addition, the quality of his glove work was brilliant.

The only awards he did not win for which he was eligible were the Standard Bank T20 International Player of the Year award that went to Imran Tahir for the second year in a row and the KFC Award of Excellence that went to Temba Bavuma, again for the second successive year, for his brilliant run out of David Warner.

De Kock obviously was not a contender for RAM Delivery of the Year and that again went to Kagiso Rabada for his delivery that bowled Usman Khawaja at Perth.

Sune Luus was named SA Women’s Cricketer of the Year while Lizelle Lee was named SA Women’s Players Player of the Year.

The International Newcomer of the Year awards went to Keshav Maharaj and Laura Wolvaardt.

“Simply outstanding! What a year Quinton has had,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. “He has shown the maturity of a seasoned campaigner with performances that have really counted when needed most, often blowing away the opposition in the process.

“It is encouraging that for the second time in a row our premier award has gone to one of our young stars who are shining with distinction alongside our world-class senior players.

“The way the Proteas have come through to rise up the ICC rankings in meteoric fashion has been quite brilliant and we now have a real team in the true sense of the word.

“Our domestic cricket remains blessed with great talents and congratulations to all the winners in those categories as well.

“I warmly congratulate all our winners, both at the international and domestic level, and I also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge our umpires, grounds staff and scorers, too.”

The Multiply Titans were once again the biggest winners in the Professional Awards: Domestic category. Duanne Olivier of the VKB Knights was named Sunfoil Series Cricketer of the Year but for the rest it was the Titans nearly all the way well with Mark Boucher being named Pitchvision Coach of the Year, Farhaan Behardien CSA T20 Challenge Player of the Year, Henry Davids Momentum One-day Cup Cricketer of the Year, and Aiden Markram Domestic Newcomer of the Year. In addition, the Titans won the CSA Fair Play Award.

Colin Ackermann of the Warriors did the double of Domestic Players Player of the season and the SACA Most Valuable Player award.

Shaun George was named both CSA Umpire of the Year and CSA Umpires Umpire of the Year while there was a proud moment when Marais Erasmus received the David Shepherd Trophy as the ICC Umpire of the Year.

The Africa Cup T20 Player of the tournament went to Patrick Kruger of Northern Cape while PPC Newlands-based Evan Flint was named groundsman of the year

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CSA ANNOUNCE ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY SQUAD

Left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, has earned his maiden One-Day International (ODI) call-up to the 15-man Standard Bank Proteas squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, which was announced on Wednesday.

The squad will play three ODI’s against England starting with the first match at Headingley in Leeds on May 24th, before their first group match of the ICC Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka at the Oval on June 3.

The 26-year-old Maharaj has had an impressive debut season for the Test squad and comes into the squad to bolster the spin options alongside Imran Tahir.

Morne Morkel makes a return to the limited-overs format after nearly 10 months, adding experience to the pace bowling group featuring Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris, Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) convener of selectors, Linda Zondi, says the selectors have picked a strong squad which covers all of the combinations and conditions on offer for the eighth edition of the eight-team event. “We have been working with this group of players for the last two seasons where our key emphasis has been consistency in selection,” Zondi commented. “That has shown in how this group has performed over the last while, which has resulted in winning three consecutive ODI series.

“We feel we have a squad that covers every scenario that we could possibly be faced with on the tour. Most importantly, every player knows and understands their role and value within the squad.

“Keshav has had an exceptional debut season for the Test side and his inclusion in the squad gives us a spinner with different skills and extra batting depth. We have seen how important it is to bat deep in ODI cricket, this option will give us that cover if needed.” 

The squad will depart for England on May 16 and will begin their preparations with two 50-over tour matches against Sussex and Northants.
Standard Bank Proteas ODI squad for three-match ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy: Hashim Amla (BuildNat Cape Cobras), Quinton de Kock – wk (Multiply Titans), Faf du Plessis (Multiply Titans), AB de Villiers – captain (Multiply Titans), JP Duminy (BuildNat Cape Cobras), David Miller (VKB Knights), Chris Morris (Multiply Titans),  Wayne Parnell (BuildNat Cape Cobras), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Imran Tahir (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (bizhub Highveld Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Farhaan Behardien (Multiply Titans), Morne Morkel (Multiply Titans).

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ZONDO AND MAHARAJ BOOST DOLPHINS LEAD

Keshav Maharaj and Khaya Zondo’s dominating first-innings performances against bizhub Highveld Lions helped HollywoodBets Dolphins consolidate their lead at the top of the table in the Sunfoil Series. Zondo struck his seventh first-class century, an unbeaten 290-ball 141 that included 21 fours, to lift Dolphins to 339 in the first innings after they opted to bat in Pietermaritzburg.

Vaughn van Jaarsveld chipped in with a brisk 53. Lions seam-bowling allrounder Dwaine Pretorius claimed his fifth five-wicket haul in first-class matches, returning figures of 5 for 54. In reply, the Lions were quickly reduced to 4 for 49. Dominic Hendricks and Pretorius brought the Lions some respectability with a 91-run partnership.

After Hendricks was dismissed for 78, Kagiso Rapulana hit a patient 52 to push Dolphins’ total to 267. Left-arm spinner Maharaj finished with figures of 6 for 86.

Entering the fourth day with a lead of 72, Dolphins set up a late declaration after posting 189 for 5 in 51 overs, taking the safety-first approach to ensure the Lions didn’t have enough time to bowl them out. Zondo struck a 139-ball 54. Left-arm fast bowler Beuran Hendricks took 3 for 48. The Lions chose not to go after the steep target of 262, as the game petered out into a draw.

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RABADA TAKES TEN TO HAD PROTEAS NEWLANDS VICTORY

South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Test series by claiming the last six wickets before lunch on the fourth morning at Newlands as Sri Lanka continued their ill-disciplined ways, a Test side irredeemably trapped in limited-overs mode. On the evidence of their tour of England last summer, and now here, in a changing cricketing world their appetite for the Test game cannot entirely be taken for granted.

The chief beneficiary of Sri Lanka’s faulty mind-set was fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who took four more wickets to finish with 6 for 55 and ten in the match for next to nothing.

Rabada’s graceful fast bowling has been one of the delights of the past year. That said, he is too talented and level headed to become over-excited about the praise that will fall upon him. A gentle shake of the head at a gimme wicket after Dinesh Chandimal chipped a stray delivery to square leg served as the perfect image of a morning when several gifts were bestowed upon him. His realism did him great credit.

Sri Lanka had anticipated a possible Test return to South Africa next year, but suggestions are growing that they might be jilted in favour of India. A 206-run win in Port Elizabeth has been followed by a 282-run margin in Cape Town. Big countries like to win; they also like to feel they have been in a fight.

Far from being a surface that was unfairly doctored to home team demands, this Newlands pitch possessed enough pace and bounce to provide captivating cricket and reward good batsmen and bowlers alike. Vibrant cricket is interesting cricket. Concentration needed other companions, not least cricketing nous and bloody-mindedness. Sri Lanka, overly given to limited-overs habits, were not up to it.

Rabada has looked a grand fast bowler in the making ever since he made his mark in Test cricket in South Africa’s home series against England, his action smooth, his development fast and his demeanour underlining that successful fast bowling does not necessarily have to come with glares and curses.

Sri Lanka, resuming on 130 for 4, retained three specialist batsmen as they sought to delay South Africa’s victory. All tossed their wickets aside like picture cards on top of a trump. Within 40 minutes, Rabada had dismissed not only Chandimal, but Upul Tharanga and the captain Angelo Mathews.

If anybody still wondered why Tharanga, a one-day opener, is carded in a Test to follow a group of ingénues and bat at No 7, his innings provided the answer. Met by a posse of close fielders, Tharanga struck three of his first balls for four with the air of a man who had no intention of hanging around. His downfall came in Rabada’s next over when he cut at a wide one which did not get up and under-edged to the keeper.

Rabada’s next two wickets did have intrinsic worth. Mathews’ attempt to drive a back-of-a-length ball of the back foot was exposed by challenging pace and bounce. And the dismissal of Suranga Lakmal was excellent: two hostile short balls in a row, the first of them fended uncertainly to short leg, the second deflecting off the glove to the wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Even then, with four wickets in a spell, Rabada’s response was gentle.

Amid all this mayhem, Kyle Abbott’s final Test could hardly have been more commonplace. Abbott pounded a challenging line, but to no avail: wicketless in the match.

Rangana Herath collected an unbeaten 35 while South Africa awaited the kill. It came with de Kock’s stumping of Lahiru Kumara as he made room to drive Keshav Maharaj through the off side and, finally, the splaying of Nuwan Pradeep’s stumps by Vernon Philander. And Johannesburg is next, the most demanding test of all

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OLIVIER LEADS SACA MVP RANKINGS AHEAD OF T20 CHALLENGE

VBK Knights fast bowler, Duanne Olivier currently leads the SACA MVP rankings, with Hollywoodbets Dolphins all-rounder Robbie Frylinck hot on his heels in second place, after both players turned in match winning performances for their respective teams during the Sunfoil Series.
Last season veteran and newcomer players battled for the title of the SACA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and this season promises to provide a similarly contested race amongst the country’s best domestic cricketers.

Olivier sits at the top of both the Overall MVP rankings and the four-day Sunfoil Series rankings, although there is still a long way to go in the Sunfoil Series and the two domestic limited-overs competitions still to come. With 28 wickets in five matches, which include two five-for’s and a nine wicket haul, Olivier is the leading wicket taker in the Sunfoil Series. His contribution thus far, has earned him 167.161 points in the MVP, to keep him 3.193 points ahead of Frylinck.
Frylinck’s record breaking performance with the ball in the second round of the Sunfoil Series against the bizhub Highveld Lions in Potchefstroom, which saw him end with a South African franchise record of 14 for 62, helped him climb 20 positions with his points’ tally leaping from 18.143 to 100.990 points. Frylinck has gone on to collect 163.968 from his five matches. His consistency and contribution with the bat and ball, has kept him in the race for the MVP.
The closest bunch of chasers in the SACA MVP at this early stage of the season are: 3rd Marchant de Lange (153.297 points), 4th Hardus Viljoen (134.512 points) and 5th Simon Harmer (131.857 points).
The MVP reflects a balanced distribution of points for players based on their on-field performances. Points awarded to players are based not only on runs and wickets, but also take into account catches, captaincy and the effect a player’s performance has on the success of his team and important stages of a match.
An indication of how reflective the rankings are is that 2015/16’s SACA MVP winner bizhub Highveld Lions’ Dwaine Pretorius and runner up, Hollywoodbets Dolphins’ Keshav Maharaj have both put in strong performances for their domestic teams in the matches they have played this season. Both players have also gone on to be selected for the Proteas, with Maharaj making his Test debut in the first Test of the current series against Australia. Pretorius has already played for the Proteas in the shorter format this year and has been called up to the Test squad following Dale Steyn’s series-ending injury.
Pretorius, currently seventh in the rankings, has played three games while Maharaj is 13th despite having only played two matches for his franchise.
The SACA MVP is an internationally recognised formula that records franchise players’ contribution to each match. Results are uploaded after each round of matches and the rankings are closely followed by players. The SACA MVP is an indicator of consistency of performance in each of the CSA Domestic Competitions and can be followed on the SACA website (www.saca.org.za).

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SACA CONGRATULATES DOMESTIC MVP WINNER DWAINE PRETORIUS

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) today congratulated Bizhub Highveld Lions all-rounder, Dwaine Pretorius, on winning its Most Valuable Player (MVP) title for his performances over the three domestic competitions in the 2015/16 season.  Pretorius finished on a total of 468, 282 points.

The SACA MVP is a cumulative points system that rewards franchise players for every run scored, wicket taken and catch held in the three franchise domestic competitions, and also takes into account the context of the match and in which the performances are achieved. Each of the CSA domestic competitions has a unique weighting for each discipline, dependant on what is considered more important in that format (for example strike rate and economy rate in the T20 format).

Following his remarkable start to the season, Pretorius’ hard work with bat and ball earned the Lion’s all-rounder a total of 641 runs and 60 wickets in all competitions. Despite picking up an injury half way through the season, Pretorius was a strong contender for the top spot throughout, and in the end, he took the overall MVP title, 31.929 points ahead of Sunfoil Dolphins left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj who finished second.

“The SACA MVP is something all of us franchise cricketers strive to win because it combines what you do with bat, ball and in the field in all three competitions.  It is recognised by players as a measure of consistency throughout the season.  I’m proud to have won this but must also give some credit to my Lions teammates in helping me to do it” said Dwaine Pretorius.

The SACA MVP rankings also focus on performances in each particular competition.  Bizhub Highveld Lions paceman, Hardus Viljoen clinched the top spot in the four day Sunfoil Series MVP rankings from team mate Pretorius, doing so in the Lions final match against the Warriors. Viljoen’s performance kept him in the running for the title as he held his position at the top of the ranking for five of the nine Sunfoil Series matches he played.  He finished the Sunfoil Series as the top wicket-taker with 47 wickets.

Alviro Petersen was a runaway winner of the Momentum One-Day Cup MVP award after a record-breaking season in which he scored 726 runs, an astonishing 31% of all his teams runs. His remarkable total included five centuries, four in consecutive matches, and was compiled at an equally remarkable strike rate of 100.13 runs per hundred balls. His was the outstanding contribution in the Lions’ successful Momentum One Day Cup campaign.

The Unlimited Titans T20 captain, Albie Morkel, started the RamSlam T20 with a bang and stayed within touching distance of the top spot throughout the tournament. Morkel’s steady flow of runs and wickets, as well as his captaining proficiency, saw him edge out the VKB Knights international star, Andre Russell, by just 0.92 points.

“I’d like to congratulation Dwaine on winning the overall SACA MVP,” said SACA chief executive, Tony Irish.  “To achieve the top spot a player has to perform for his franchise pretty much week in and week out throughout the season.”

“I would also like to congratulate Hardus, Alviro and Albie for leading the way in each of the domestic competitions.  There were some pretty impressive individual performances from a number of players this season and I think Heino Kuhn’s 1126 runs in the Sunfoil Series and Alviro Petersen’s five hundreds in the Momentum One Day Cup deserve special mention.  Well done also to the entire Titans squad for winning the Sunfoil Series and the RamSlam and to the Lions Squad for taking the Momentum One Day Cup.”

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DOLPHINS WIN CONVINCINGLY IN EAST LONDON

Andile Phehlukwayo ended with career-best figures as the Sunfoil Dolphins completed a comfortable innings and 54-run victory over the Warriors early on day four of their Sunfoil Series clash in East London on Sunday.

The young all-rounder claimed 4/39, beating his previous first-class best of 3/69, to ensure the hosts were bowled out for just 187 in their follow-on innings.

Jerry Nqolo top-scored for the Warriors with 64 (144 balls, 9 fours), before he was eventually the second last man to fall when he was cleaned up by the spin of Keshav Maharaj (2/49).

Craig Alexander (1/47) accounted for Ayabulela Gqamane (8), while Phehlukwayo dismissed Thandolwethu Mnyaka (16).

Only 21 overs were bowled on the final morning, with the Warriors adding exactly 50 to their overnight score.

Despite not being amongst the wickets on the last day, Daryn Dupavillon ended with 2/32 in the second innings and was named man-of-the-match for his overall analysis of 7/81.

The result handed the Warriors a fifth defeat in six games this season and left them firmly rooted to the foot of the table, while the Dolphins stayed fourth, but now within seven points of the third-placed VKB Knights.

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BIRCH INSPIRES WARRIORS ATTACH

Andrew Birch recorded career-best figures as the Warriors cruised to a nine-wicket bonus-point win over the Sunfoil Dolphins in their Momentum One-Day Cup match at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Wednesday.
Paceman Birch ended with the superb figures of 10-5-15-4, while Ayabulela Gqamane nabbed 3/18 as the hosts were bundled out for just 110 off 28.3 overs. The visitors then reached 111 for one off 23.5 overs with Colin Ackermann striking his first half-century of the season to end unbeaten on 59 off 83 balls (8 fours, 1 six).
The win saw the Warriors move to second on the log, on 23 points, and all but secured the Eastern Cape franchise a playoff place, while the Dolphins slipped to their sixth loss of the season to remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
The Warriors play the Cape Cobras in their final round-robin match in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, are the only team that are completely out of the running for a playoff place and their final score against the Warriors was their lowest total in the competition’s history, eclipsing their previous lowest total of 137 for nine, off 45 overs, against the Eagles in the 2008/09 season.
The Durban side had won the toss and elected to bat but crumbled to 65-9 after 21 overs in the face of an inspired new-ball spell from Birch, who bowled his 10 overs unchanged.
Only four Dolphins’ batsmen reached double figures while the innings was only given some late gloss by a 45-run 10th-wicket partnership between Keshav Maharaj (43*), his highest List A total, and Mthokozisi Shezi (10).
Ackermann and Jon-Jon Smuts then took the Warriors to the brink of victory with a 108-run opening stand. Smuts was the more aggressive of the pair as he scored 49 off 59 deliveries (7 fours, 1 six) before being dismissed by medium-pacer Andile Phehlukwayo.

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DOLPHINS BEAT RAIN AND THUMP KNIGHTS

Khaya Zondo took three wickets to go with his half-century as the Sunfoil Dolphins kept alive their hopes of reaching the Momentum One-Day Cup play-offs alive with a 46-run win on the Duckworth-Lewis method over the VKB Knights in Kimberley on Wednesday.

After winning the toss and batting first at the Diamond Oval, the visitors amassed 290 for eight wickets.

Zondo struck 52 from 78 balls, Vaughn van Jaarsveld made 50 off 50 and Cody Chetty top-scored on his return to the team with 69 off 87 deliveries. There were several other cameos from the Dolphins team, including a three-ball 13 from Keshav Maharaj, who clubbed two sixes in his six-minute stay in the middle.

Shadley van Schalkwyk was the pick of the bowlers with three for 52. Only 1.3 overs of the response were then possible when heavy rain stuck, forcing over two hours to be lost.

When the players return, the target was revised to 158 in 20 overs, but the switch to Twenty20 mode failed to ignite the hosts as they slipped to 111 all out in 18.3 overs.

They lost a wicket first ball and never recovered with Zondo returning the immaculate figures of three for 12 in 2.3 overs. Calvin Savage claimed three for 16 in his three impressive overs, while Maharaj picked up two for 19.

Van Schalkwyk top-scored with 34 off 20 balls for the Knights, whose chance of making the play-offs are all but over. They have eight points with three games to go, while the bonus-point triumph for the Dolphins lifted them to fourth.

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2015/16 SUNFOIL SIZZLER

 

Hardus Viljoen of the bizhub Highveld Lions has bagged the Sunfoil Series Sizzler award for the first five rounds of the Sunfoil Series which currently sees The Unlimited Titans, the VKB Knights and the bizhub Highveld Lions locked in a three-way battle for four-day cricket supremacy. The Lions are the current title holders.

The Sunfoil Sizzler award is worth R15 000.

Viljoen, who made his debut for the Castle Lager Proteas in the third Sunfoil Test match against the England touring team at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, has had a phenomenal Sunfoil Series campaign taking 30 wickets in 4 matches. This included back-to-back 10-wicket hauls in successive matches against the Sunfoil Dolphins and the Warriors.

Other players who came strongly into contention for the award were his bizhub Highveld Lions team mate, Dwaine Pretorius, Werner Coetsee of the VKB Knights, Keshav Maharaj of the Sunfoil Dolphins and Tabraiz Shamsi of The Unlimited Titans.

“Congratulations to Hardus on his Sunfoil Sizzler award,” commented Cricket South Africa (CSA) General Manager: Cricket, Corrie van Zyl. “His performance in taking back-to-back 10-wickets hauls is special and earned him a fully deserved call-up to the Proteas.

“The results over the past six weeks have also shown that our domestic game is healthy, particularly if you look at the way players have taken the step up to international cricket when the opportunity has arisen. Stephen Cook’s century on debut for the Proteas underlines this point.”

The South African Cricketers’ Association Most Valuable Player index (SACA MVP) is used as the measuring tool in determining the Sunfoil Sizzler of the Month.

The SACA MVP is calculated using an internationally recognised formula which takes into account every discipline in the game of cricket.  Batting, bowling, fielding, captaining and winning are all factored in within the context of each individual match. Individual player performances in pressure situations, for example, carry more weight; thus players who deliver when their team needs them most, earn more points.

The SACA MVP latest ranking standings are updated weekly on the SACA website (www.saca.org.za), and may be viewed ‘per competition’ or by having a look at the ‘overall’ standings.

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RAMELA SECURES COBRAS DRAW

Omphile Ramela scored a century as the Cape Cobras batted out the final day of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Sunfoil Dolphins at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday.

The visiting captain, who scored 89 in the first innings, made 107 with his side following on, helping them reach 361 for six before shaking hands with opposite number Khaya Zondo on the stroke of tea.

Only 64 overs were bowled on the final day, with the match seemingly going nowhere on a slow pitch and the Cape side 202 ahead.

It was only Ramela’s seventh career century and first of the season, while both his scores in the match improved on his previous best score of 46 during the current campaign.

He did not do it all by himself though, with the Cobras having good contributions from Justin Ontong (74), Dane Vilas (54) and an unbeaten 53 from 22-year-old Keegan Petersen.

Andile Phehlukwayo (2-37) and Keshav Maharaj (2-130) picked up two wickets apiece – the latter collecting seven in the match from a mammoth 93.2 overs.

Ramela was named man of the match and his Cobras side walked away with 5.2 points compared to the 7.9 for the Dolphins.

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TITANS STRIKE LATE TO JOLT DOLPHINS

Late wickets by the Unlimited Titans fast bowlers helped restrict the Sunfoil Dolphins to 357 all out on the opening day of their Sunfoil Series clash at Sahara Park Willowmoore on Thursday.

Ethy Mbhalati and Marchant de Lange shared seven wickets for the hosts, but half-centuries by Imraan Khan, Khaya Zondo and Daryn Smit ensured the visitors held the slight advantage in Benoni.

Wicketkeeper Smit top-scored with a fluent 85 from 111 deliveries, while opener Khan anchored a solid start with 83.

Zondo, meanwhile, made 65 before he was out on the stroke of tea. But the Dolphins may rue the fact that they lost their last six wickets for less than 100. They had progressed nicely through to 244 for four during the afternoon, but the Titans’ opening bowlers struck some telling blows.

Mbhalati, the pick of the bowlers with four for 48, accounted for Khan, Vaughn van Jaarsveld (30), Sibonelo Makhanya (one) and Craig Alexander (two).

De Lange took three for 79 – his wickets being captain Divan van Wyk (nought), David Miller (26), both bowled, and Keshav Maharaj (13).

The Titans, who won the toss and chose to bowl, faced two overs in their reply to reach stumps on two without loss.

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TITANS FACE TESTING WEEK IN BATTLE AT THE TOP

With four straight wins under their belt The Unlimited Titans may be the form team in the RAM SLAM T20, but they know that they face their toughest challenges in the competition this week, starting with Wednesday’s visit to the Sunfoil Dolphins. Losing to the Dolphins in their opening game, the Titans have gone on an impressive winning streak to sit level with their opponent at the top of the standings.

But this week sees them visit the Dolphins and then travel to Cape Town to take on the third-placed Cape Cobras on Friday, making it a crucial few days in the race for top spot and an automatic place in the final.

The Titans have retained the same squad that conquered the Warriors over the weekend, with coach, Rob Walter, enjoying the depth that he has found in his ranks.

“We’ve changed our team pretty much every game for varying reasons – from family loss to injury to game plans – so what’s nice is that the guys who have come in and got an opportunity to play have stood up and done something for us,” said Walter.

“So we’re happy with everyone’s form, and we want to be able to field a team that is specific to our opposition or the conditions, and know that whoever we bring in is in form and is ready to play. We obviously have good momentum, but I see Wednesday and Friday as being our biggest challenges.”

After winning their first four games, the Dolphins were finally felled on Sunday when Wayne Parnell engineered a five-wicket win for the Cobras.

“It’s just the nature of the game,” reflected Morne van Wyk. “It’s such a short format that you have to be on the ball all of the time, and it’s hard to claw yourself back if you aren’t.”

The Dolphins do, however, need to figure out their best combinations now that Kevin Pietersen has departed, Prenelan Subrayen has been banned from bowling and Kyle Abbott has flown to India to play for the Proteas.

After scoring 77 off just 46 balls for KZN Inland in the CSA Provincial T20 Challenge this weekend, Vaughn van Jaarsveld has returned to the Dolphins squad along with Sibonelo Makhanya.

While SuperSport Park’s quicker surface did not require a spinning ally for Keshav Maharaj on Sunday, replacing Subrayen, who took 4 for 22 the last time these teams met, may be a priority for Sahara Stadium Kingsmead’s conditions on Wednesday.

“It will be tough to replace him because he’s a star performer who’s done really well for us, but you need your squad to perform in a competition and it’s an opportunity for someone else to contribute and showcase their skills,” said Van Wyk.

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