Tag: Malusi Siboto

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Kyle Simmonds Crowned Overall Division 1 SACA MVP

The 2025/26 domestic cricket season concludes with Western Province all-rounder Kyle Simmonds named Division 1 Overall SACA MVP. Simmonds earned…

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Liam Alder Named Overall SACA MVP for Domestic Division 2

Following the completion of all domestic fixtures, Liam Alder of the Garden Route Badgers finished at the top of the…

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TWELVE YEARS OF RESEARCH-BASED PLAYER SERVICE

Over the past 12 years, the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has cemented its dedication to evidence-based practice through a…

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JOZI STARS BLAST CT BLITZ TO CLAIM FIRST MSL TROPHY

The Jozi Stars have claimed the inaugural Mzansi Super League, with the Gauteng based franchise easily taking the title with an 8 wicket win over the Cape Town Blitz at Newlands.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, the Blitz were in early trouble with Quinton de Kock back in the hut with the score on 6 in the second over.

Dawid Malan and Kyle Verreynne went about repairing the early damage with some cautious batting.

Malan then opened up against Duanne Olivier, striking him for a number of boundaries before the big paceman had his revenge, removing the Englishman for 17 to leave the Blitz at 28 for 2 after the powerplay overs.

Mohammad Nawaz (3) and Asif Ali (4) didn’t last long, falling to Dan Christian and Olivier respectively to leave the Blitz reeling at 48 for 4 in the 10th over.

They never recovered, regularly losing wickets to end on 113/7 after 20 overs with captain Farhaan Behardien top scoring with 23.

The pick of the Jozi Stars bowlers were Beuran Hendricks (2/11), Olivier (2/32) and Kagiso Rabada (1/16).

Although spinner Simon Harmer never picked up a wicket, his four overs only conceded 14 runs.

Dale Steyn struck early in the Jozi Stars innings, cleaning up Ryan Rickleton for 6 to leave the visitors on 13/1 in the third over.

That brought Rassie van der Dussen to join Reeza Hendricks and the Jozi Stars batting kingpins, after starting slowly in seeing off Dale Steyn, went about their business with great ease, guiding their side towards victory.

Hendricks (33) fell to Malusi Siboto with just 14 needed for victory but van der Dussen (59*) saw the Stars over the line for an emphatic victory.

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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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BLITZ MAINTAIN UNBEATEN START TO MSL

The Cape Town Blitz continued to set the pace in the Mzansi Super League after strong performances by Janneman Malan and Dale Steyn helped them make it three wins from three thanks to a 12-run Duckworth/Lewis triumph over the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants in Cape Town on Wednesday.

After winning their first two matches under the leadership of Dawid Malan, Farhaan Behardien replaced the departed Briton but slotted in seamlessly as the hosts held off a strong challenge from the visitors at PPC Newlands.

Janneman Malan top-scored for the Blitz with 57 off 39 balls (10 fours, 1 six), while Steyn was outstanding with the ball on his way to figures of two for 21 in four overs.

In a match affected by a brief floodlight failure, the log leaders won the toss and batted first, amassing 175 for six in their 20 overs. With Dawid Malan missing at the top of the order, returning Standard Bank Proteas star Quinton de Kock – one of five debuting in the new competition – joined Janneman Malan and helped put on 41 for the first wicket, before falling to another new face, Imran Tahir (1/18), for six.

Andile Phehlukwayo (28), promoted up the order, helped Janneman Malan add 49 for the second wicket before he fell to Chris Morris (2/32).

Asif Ali, who destroyed the Durban Heat a few days earlier, then chipped in with 22 off 11 balls, while Behardien contributed 17 as the home side set 176 for victory.

The Giants lost key openers Marco Marais (2) and Jon-Jon Smuts (8) early, both to the pace of Steyn, before Ben Duckett (23) and top-scorer Heino Kuhn (55 off 35 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) began to drag them back into the game.

Their partnership was disrupted by a brief floodlight delay just before their team could cross 50, prompting four overs to be lost and the target revised to 145. Needing to score at around 14 to the over, the pair shift gears, and after Duckett fell, Kuhn looked set to pick up the baton.

But he was unfortunately run out when Malusi Siboto deflected a Christiaan Jonker shot onto the stumps, which seemingly proved critical – prior to his dismissal the equation was reduced to 43 off 20 balls.

And with the pressure of the scoreboard building, the Giants folded to end on 132 for six for a first loss of the campaign.

Hussain Talat was the other double wicket bowler for the Blitz, with the debutant Pakistani claiming two for seven in his solo over.

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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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MORRIS SIX-FOR TAKES TITANS TO SUNFOIL SERIES TITLE

The Multiply Titans were crowned 2017/18 Sunfoil Series champions on Sunday after concluding a tense final round of rain-hit matches with a nervy four-wicket win over the VKB Knights in Centurion.

Chris Morris was their star performer with six for 55 that helped set up a low-scoring chase of 110, which the hosts knocked off with plenty of time to spare.

Mark Boucher’s side went into the final round of games in fourth place and as one of the teams with the slimmest of chances of claiming the four-day crown, but in the end finished the day with their fifth outright first-class title of the franchise era.

The Warriors, who had begun the round first, had to settle for runners-up, and the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras in third.

The final day, which was effectively the second day of the match after the opening two days had been washed out by rain, had started out with the Knights batting on 62 for three and still trailing by 38 in their second innings.

Both sides had faced 40 overs each in their first innings – the away side posting 169 for seven declared and the home side replying with 269 for three declared.

Captain Rudi Second top-scored with 76 (136 balls, 8 fours), with David Miller chipping in with 52 (70 balls, 8 fours), before Morris and Malusi Siboto (3/43) ripped through the middle and lower order to leave the Central franchise all out for 209.

It left a target of just over 100 to get, and despite Marchant de Lange grabbing three for 40, an important 43 from Heino Kuhn and 29 by Farhaan Behardien ensured the Titans got to their target midway through the final afternoon.

They then had to wait for the result of the bizhub Highveld Lions against the Cape Cobras Cobras – the latter needing to win in order to win the title – but as it played out, the Cape side fell to a nine-wicket loss handing the Titans the title.

It also capped another impressive season for Boucher’s side, who secured the double after their success in the RAM SLAM T20 Challenge.

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MORRIS TON CAN’T STOP WARRIORS FROM GOING TOP

An outstanding rearguard century by Chris Morris was not enough to deny the Warriors as two late wickets by Jon-Jon Smuts sealed a dramatic 77-run Sunfoil Series win over the Multiply Titans at Buffalo Park in East London late on Sunday.

The Standard Bank Proteas all-rounder made 113 (184 balls, 20 fours), his maiden franchise cricket ton, as the visitors were bowled out for 248 – chasing 329 – deep into the final day.

Morris was bowled from the penultimate delivery of the fourth added over after the mandatory 15 final-hour overs had elapsed, with Tabraiz Shamsi (0) then bowled next ball as Smuts ended with three for 54 to fire his side top of the competition table.

Prior to Morris’ dismissal, the Titans looked set to seal a dramatic draw after battling their way back from 110 for seven shortly before tea.

It was one-way traffic before that in favour of the home side with Tladi Bokako (4/43) and Simon Harmer (3/89) weaving through the top order.

But Malusi Siboto (43) helped Morris add 79 for the eighth wicket and Junior Dala batted for 57 deliveries for his five, before the visitors finally caved.

Earlier, Colin Ackermann went on to record his 14th career century as the Warriors declared on 256 for five.

The right-hander smashed an unbeaten 125 (157 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes) and put on 169 for the second wicket with Eddie Moore (76 off 179 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) to ensure the hosts gave themselves a victory chance.

Tabraiz Shamsi took an impressive five for 90, but it was not enough as the Titans slipped to a first loss of the season – one that saw them drop from first to fourth with two rounds of 2017/18 remaining.

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TITANS WIN THE T20 CHALLENGE 2016

Multiply Titans claimed a second successive T20 title and denied Warriors a first trophy in seven seasons by defending 156, despite losing their captain Albie Morkel to a hamstring injury in their first over in the field. Lungi Ngidi and Junior Dala both conceded under seven runs an over but the hero was Malusi Siboto who defended 12 off the final over to secure a tense win.

A penultimate over that was boundary-less and cost Dala just six runs set the tone for Siboto’s heroics but they were not without drama. He sent down a slower ball first delivery, then a dot ball, and then only three singles to all but guarantee Titans the win. However, with what should have been the final ball, Siboto bowled a leg-side wide to leave open the prospect of a Super Over deciding the tournament. But he finished on target to leave Warriors wondering how they had left it to their seventh-wicket pair of Lesiba Ngoepe and Sisanda Magala needing to score 31 off 22 balls.

The enormity of the occasion – Warriors last played in a final in the 2010-11 season – seemed to overwhelm them but they showed glimpses of breaking their drought. They pulled Titans back from 105 for 3 to restrict them to a below-par score at altitude but none of their senior batsmen could anchor the chase.

Warriors reply began tentatively when Clyde Fortuin hit the ball straight to Aiden Markram at backward point but Titans’ joy soon turned to worry. Morkel grabbed at his hamstring in pain as the wicket fell and could not complete the over.

David Wiese took over the captaincy and bowled the next over from Morkel’s end, with equal success. He had the leading run-scorer in the competition, Jon-Jon Smuts, caught behind and Warriors were in early trouble. Their malaise could have deepened when Ngidi appealed for a catch against Colin Ingram, who had yet to score, but umpire Allahudien Paleker turned him down. Ingram only faced another eight deliveries before Ngidi had the last laugh and Titans took the Powerplay honours with Warriors on 44 for 3.

Colin Ackermann and Christiaan Jonker got them back on track with a clinical attack on the Titans change bowlers. They were particularly severe on left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, whose first over cost 14, but he could have had both their wickets. After Ackermann hit Shamsi over the grass embankment for six, he skied another strike but Siboto put it down and conceded a run. Off the next ball, Jonker tried to flick and was caught by Junior Dala to put Titans back in it.

Ackermann shared in a 30-run fifth-wicket stand with Qaasim Adams, who is on loan from Titans and gave it to his old team with a feisty 17 off 16 balls. Before he could do any more damage, though, Shamsi removed him lbw with the last ball of his spell. The tale twisted even more when Ackermann holed out to Ngidi and all but ended Warriors’ challenge.

That would have come as relief to Titans, who should have scored more after their strong start. They put on 35 in the first four overs, which included two overs from Kyle Abbott who was selected ahead of the competition’s second-highest wicket-taker Andrew Birch, despite Birch’s 5 for 16 against the same opposition at the same ground in the group stage.

Warriors fought back when Basheeru Walters made the first breakthrough and two further blows left Titans 73 for 3 in the 10th over. Despite needing some firepower Titans did not send in their star batsman Farhaan Behardien immediately and tasked Heino Kuhn with partnering Morkel in the middle. Kuhn was run out in the 14th over, which sparked a mini-collapse. They lost three for 21, including Behardien, who was unable to provide a replay of his 14-ball fifty from the weekend, and Morkel, also run-out.

At 126 for 6, with 16 balls remaining, Titans were in danger of finishing well below par but Wiese took them to respectability. He plundered 16 runs in a 19-run final over that took Titans over 150 and, in the end, it proved enough.

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MARKRAM & NGIDI CENTRAL TO TITANS’ INNINGS WIN

Multiply Titans surged to their first win of the season with a massive innings and 38-run victory over the Hollywood Bets Dolphins in Centurion, and they did it courtesy two franchise debutants. Aiden Markram and Lungi Ngidi were both making their maiden first-class appearances for the Titans and showed that the young talent in Centurion is blossoming.

Ngidi was first to the fore when he took four wickets in an opening spell that reduced the Dolphins to 61 for 4 in the 21st over. Senuran Muthusamy was the only Dolphins batsmen to show some fight and scored 52 but with no half-century stands, the Dolphins struggled to get over 200. They eked over the mark but not before Ngidi had picked up his fifth.

Markram was promoted to the franchise team in the absence of Dean Elgar, who has left on Test duty, and he was a perfect fit. He partnered Heino Kuhn in an opening stand of 203 and then put on 120 with Grant Mokoena for the second wicket while scoring 162 of his own. The Titans were well in the lead by the time Markram was dismissed with the Dolphins unable to make many inroads despite the return of Andile Phehlukwayo. Although none of the Titans bottom seven batsmen made more than 32, they batted into the third day and amassed 432, a lead of 225.

A worn-out Dolphins line-up up could not muster much resistance and by the time Ngidi bowled again, they were already three down. Khaya Zondo scored 68 but the Titans’ attack proved too strong for the rest. Wickets were shared all round with three each for Rowan Richards and Malusi Siboto while Ngigi added two for a match haul of seven.

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VANDIAR, SIBOTO NEW ARRIVALS AT TITANS

Malusi Siboto and Jonathan Vandiar will wear the colours of The Unlimited Titans in the 2016/17 season.

The pair join from the VKB Knights and Sunfoil Dolphins respectively, while Daniel Sincuba also switches from KwaZulu-Natal to the Easterns Titans franchise.

Seam bowler Siboto, 28, has grown in leaps and bounds since his Knights debut in the 2011/12 season.

Despite a lengthy injury lay-off, the right-armer was a key part of the team for the Central Franchise last season. Siboto has over 150 first-class wickets and more than 100 in the limited-over formats. He will be joined by two former Dolphins players at the Titans.

One is batsman Jonathan Vandiar, who previously played in Gauteng with the bizhub Highveld Lions. The 26-year-old spent a few seasons at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, but failed to stake a regular place in the team.

Sincuba, also a batsman, is a franchise cricket rookie having played seven matches for the Dolphins since his debut in 2014/15.

The Titans also boast the most number of nationally contracted player with six in total. They are Test and One-Day international captain AB De Villiers, T20 skipper Faf Du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Farhaan Behardien, Morne Morkel and Quinton De Kock.

Titans squad: Qaasim Adams, Junior Dala, Henry Davids, Morne Morkel, Heinrich Klaasen, Heino Kuhn, Farhaan Behardien, Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Grant Mokoena, Albie Morkel, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, AB de Villiers, Tabraiz Shamzi, Malusi Siboto, Daniel Sincuba, Grant Thomson, Shaun von Berg, David Weise, Quinton de Kock, Rowan Richards, Jonathan Vandiar, Faf du Plessis.

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FIFTEEN WICKETS FALL ON DAY ONE IN KIMBERLEY

Fifteen wickets fell on the opening day of the Sunfoil Series clash between the VKB Knights and Warriors as the two sides went to stumps with honours even in Kimberley on Thursday.

The title-chasing hosts saw their championship prospects take a blow when they were dismissed for a woeful 128 after losing the toss and being asked to bat first at the Diamond Oval. But they then roared back to reduce the visitors to 93/5 by stumps.

The Eastern Cape side, who have lost seven out of their eight matches this season, would have been smiling after their effort with the ball in the first innings.

Only three of the home batsmen managed to reach double figures – top-scorer Rudi Second (41 not out), captain Werner Coetsee (33) and Reeza Hendricks (18).

Medium-pacer Jerry Nqolo and spinner Simon Harmer shared seven wickets with the former claiming 4/11 in just eight overs and the latter squeezing 3/25 in 13 overs – the Knights dismissed in 51 overs.

But there was a twist to come as the hosts roared back thanks to two wickets apiece for Malusi Siboto (2/2) and Duanne Olivier (2/27). This after the Warriors had made a strong start by reaching 47/1 in the 15th over. But they lost 4/46, including the wicket of rookie opener Edward Moore (35) to go to stumps on the back foot.

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KNIGHTS CLIMB UP TO SECOND PLACE

Pite van Biljon scored a vital half-century as the VKB Knights pulled off a stunning run chase to narrowly edge out the Cape Cobras by three wickets late on the final day of their Sunfoil Series match in Bloemfontein on Monday.

The Cobras had been bowled out for 291 in their second innings just before lunch, holding a lead of 256 runs.

This after pace duo of Shadley van Schalkwyk (4/21) and Duanne Olivier (3/41) ripped through the visitor’s middle and lower order, claiming the last six wickets for 29 runs. Justin Ontong top-scored with 57 (85 balls, 8 fours).

Van Biljon then scored 82 not out (140 balls, 10 fours) to hold the Knights’ second innings together as the hosts reached 258/7 at the Mangaung Oval.

The win re-ignited the Knights’ title chances as they collected 18.44 points from the match to move above the bizhub Highveld Lions into second place on the log, just 11.64 points behind the log-leading Unlimited Titans with two matches left to play.

The Knights were left 70 overs to chase down the winning total, but needed just 60.3 overs to complete the victory.

Their run-chase was initially a touch rocky with the early loss of Reeza Hendricks (8), Michael Erlank (3) and Rudi Second (18), although Letlotlo Sesele (45) did provide the innings with some stability.

Van Biljon and Tumelo Bodibe (28) then set up the run-chase with a 66-run fifth-wicket stand, before Van Biljon and Werner Coetsee (36) hammered 61 runs for the sixth wicket off just 10 overs to take their team to the brink of victory.

Wayne Parnell helped the Cobras claw their way back into the match when he dismissed Coetsee and Van Schalkwyk (2) in consecutive overs to set up a tense finish.

But Van Biljon and Malusi Siboto (6 not out) took their team to the finish line.

Parnell ended with 3/68 and Lizaad Williams nabbed 3/49.

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RUDI SECOND TON RAISES KNIGHTS HOPES

An unbeaten century from Rudi Second rekindled the VKB Knights’ interest in the Momentum One-Day Cup after they seized a 74-run bonus-point win over the Warriors at Buffalo Park in East London on Sunday.

The opener batted throughout the innings with a measured 110 in 149 balls (4 fours), his 11th List A ton, to help his side reach 258/6 after winning the toss and batting first.

Patrick Botha also impressed with an aggressive 63 from 54 balls (7 fours, 1 six), while captain Werner Coetsee crashed 42 off 31 to help the visitors end the first half of the game with the initiative. Despite making a decent enough start to their reply – they were 50/1 – they then lost 4/41 and the heart of their top order to slip to 91/5.

That was in the midst of a fine spell by Mbulelo Budaza as his three wickets caused havoc. He eventually ended as the pick of the bowlers with 3/20 in 6 overs. Amongst Budaza’s scalps were top-scorer Jon-Jon Smuts, who made 53 off 70 balls (9 fours), before he was trapped leg before wicket. Christiaan Jonker (26), Clyde Fortuin (27) and Simon Harmer (23 not out) all got starts but failed to kick on as the Warriors were dismissed in 43.3 overs.

Michael Erlank snared up 3/34, while there were two wickets each for Coetsee (2/29) and Malusi Siboto (2/38). The result lifted the Knights off the bottom of the table with 13 points, five behind the Warriors in the final play-off spot with two rounds to play.

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SIBOTO’S SIX STUNS WARRIORS

Malusi Siboto again starred with the ball as the VKB Knights ended the opening day of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Warriors in complete control at Buffalo Park in East London.

Fresh from taking career-best figures of seven for 44 in his last game, which was also his first of the season, Siboto was again the main man for his team thanks to a splendid six for 39.

That helped restrict the hosts to 210 for nine by stumps with their main contribution coming from captain Colin Ingram after they had fallen into early trouble.

The skipper made 89 and shared in the only real meaningful partnership of 100 with Michael Price, who marked his first match of the season with a patient 62 from 191 deliveries.

Before the pair came together, the Warriors made a sluggish start to the game and lost three wickets for 53 in almost an entire session.

Things picked up after lunch, however, with no wickets falling in the afternoon. But there were six after tea as Siboto ran riot in his 21 overS with both set men amongst his scalps. The only other wicket-taker was Knights captain Werner Coetsee, who finished the day with three for 57.

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DUAL CAREER. DUAL SUCCESS.

Can you become a Proteas player while studying? Temba Bavuma provides the answer…

When Temba Bavuma scored his maiden Test century against England in January, all the headlines were about him becoming the first ethnic black South African to do so.

Less heralded was the interesting fact that he proved that chasing dual career objectives need not affect cricket performance – he finished his degree in 2014, the same year he was selected for the Proteas against West Indies.

The seeds for the 25-year-old batsman doing tertiary education were sown during his high school years. Bavuma started Grade 8 in 2003 at SACS in Cape Town, then spent the following year at Fourways High when his family moved to Johannesburg before completing school at St David’s Marist Inanda after receiving a cricket scholarship.

He passed matric in 2007, but he then decided to do post matric in the year he turned 18.

“Doing post matric was mainly from a cricket point of view as I didn’t want to get lost in the system being only 17. [He had only made the SA Schools Colts team in his actual matric year, but then went on to make the Gauteng provincial side before SA Schools and SA Under-19 selection after the 2008 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week] Academically, it basically reinforced all the knowledge that I had. St David’s didn’t actually have post matric, so I just redid subjects and reinforced my marks.”

In so doing, Bavuma achieved three distinctions, one of which set the platform for what he wanted to study.

“When I finished school, I knew the importance of getting a qualification to be able to have a career outside of cricket – my parents always stressed the importance of education. Accounting had always been a favourite subject of mine, so I knew I wanted to go into finance.”

So in 2009, Bavuma registered for a BCom Financial Management degree at University of Johannesburg. Eighteen months later though, he dropped out – the demands of full-time tertiary education not mixing well with his burgeoning cricket career.

“For me it was quite hard initially to find the balance between cricket and studying. With cricket we’re travelling a lot and some days after a game I’d be studying until one or two in the morning… that was quite tough.”

As it turned out, it was his progress in professional cricket that proved pivotal in him finding the right balance.

“In 2012 I became a SACA member and one of the main benefits for me was related to my studies through the Player Plus programme and the financial point of view. SACA awarded me a bursary to restart my studies through Unisa. What also helped was the close contact with my SACA PDM, Mary-Jane Goebel. We spoke frequently, and she would check on my progress and help me with anything I needed. I was motivated in what I was doing but her help was important.”

Bavuma confirms that he’s never regretted his decision to target dual career goals.

“I’ve missed a couple of exams because of cricket and sometimes walked straight onto the field after writing an exam but I’ve always enjoyed studying. It’s had a positive effect on my cricket as it takes my mind off the game. When the Player Plus programme was presented to us I didn’t have an idea of the kind of benefit it would have for me. Looking back now, and particularly having somebody like Mary-Jane to throw ideas at… she’s been like a mentor throughout the process and has really assisted in helping me get through my degree which I finished in 2014.”

A further off-field interest, beyond his regular house music DJ sessions with his friends, is Bavuma’s involvement with a cricket coaching programme at his alma mater and his role in organising the annual Langa All Day Festival of Cricket, held over the festive period.

“Langa is a place I hold close to my heart as it was where I was born and grew up. We [fellow Langa-born professionals Thami Tsolekile, Malusi Siboto, Siya Simetu and Nono Pongolo are also involved] organise the festival as basically a day to unite the community where they can enjoy themselves in sport. This past year we had about 3500 supporters whereas the first edition had about 2000 – so the day is growing thanks to sponsors like Kookaburra, KFC, Score and Cricket South Africa.”

As it is, while Bavuma chases further honours with the Proteas, he is determined to do the same off the field too…

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DU BRUYN STEERS KNIGHTS TO VICTORY

A dominant bowling performance followed by Theunis de Bruyn’s 42 steered VKB Knights to a comfortable eight-wicket win – their second win of the season – over the Sunfoil Dolphins in a low-scoring game in Port Elizabeth. Andre Russell and Malusi Siboto took three wickets apiece, as Dolphins were restricted to 82 for 9 in 20 overs.

Dolphins got off to a horror start after choosing to bat, as they were left reeling at 35 for 5 at the end of the 10th over. They failed to recover from that start as wickets fell regularly – including two run-outs – and substantial partnerships were hard to stitch. Dwayne Bravo, who was the only batsman to score more than 15, top-scored with a 24-ball 23, before he was dismissed by Russell in the final over.

In the chase,  Knights too were off to a dodgy start, losing both openers within the first three overs. De Bruyn then came in and combined with Aubrey Swanepoel to post an unbeaten 75-run partnership which helped Knights reach their target with eight overs to spare, earning them a bonus-point in the process.

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REEZA AND RILEE GET KNIGHTS OFF THE MARK

The VKB Knights finally got off the mark in the RAM SLAM T20 and consequently put a dent in the bizhub Highveld Lions’ campaign as Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw orchestrated a 29-run victory at Senwes Park.

The pair shared in a 90-run stand for the first wicket to send the Knights on their way to a total of 175 for five, with Hendricks finishing unbeaten on 72.

The Knights had put similar totals on the board in previous games and failed to defend them, but this time they backed it up with an impressive bowling performance to restrict the Lions to 146 for nine in reply.

The Lions had hoped to join the third-placed Cobras on 16 points after seven games, but instead sit four points back making Sunday’s clash between the two sides at Bidvest Wanderers all the more important.

It was Rossouw who took the game to the Lions early on after the hosts had won the toss and elected to bowl, hitting 46 from just 29 balls.

Although the Knights lost their way a little bit after he had come down the track and hit Aaron Phangiso (2 for 26) straight to long-on, they were still able to reset and take 59 off the last five overs of their innings.

While Hendricks naturally played a role in that, finishing with seven fours in his 56-ball knock, Tumelo Bodibe’s innings also proved valuable as he struck an unbeaten 22 from just nine deliveries.

On another dry pitch, the importance of scoring while the ball was still hard was not lost on the Lions, and after allowing themselves a few sighters Devon Conway and Rassie van der Dussen got stuck in.

When they took 17 off Shadley van Schalkwyk’s first over, and then went on to reach 71 without loss after eight overs, the Lions were perfectly on track.

However, Malusi Siboto recovered from an expensive first over to break the partnership in his second, as Conway (36) got an inside edge through to the keeper.

Werner Coetsee then grabbed two wickets in two overs, including the key one of Van der Dussen (40 from 26 balls), and the Knights scented an elusive victory.

Thami Tsolekile (20) and Andre Malan (25) sparked a brief recovery, but Siboto went on to grab another two wickets and record figures of 3 for 29 and Van Schalkwyk recovered brilliantly to finish with 2 for 33, as the Knights secured their first points in their seventh game.

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COBRAS BEAT KNIGHTS TO STAY IN THE RACE

The Cape Cobras kept pace in the race for the RAM SLAM T20 play-offs after they triumphed by four wickets over the VKB Knights, who have now lost all six of their games in the competition.

On a Boland Park pitch that none of the batsmen were able to sink their teeth into, the Knights put up 140 for seven after being put into bat, which the Cobras eclipsed with three balls to spare.

While that suggested a close run chase, in truth the Cobras always looked in control after Richard Levi had scored a quick 36 and Justin Ontong had anchored the innings with his 40.

The Cobras were also grateful to Dane Paterson, who took 2 for 24 from four overs and, crucially, broke a threatening stand between Theunis de Bruyn and Andre Russell.

The Knights had slumped to 49 for three in the first half of their knock, but De Bruyn and Russell put on 51 in 34 balls to put them on track for a solid total.

Paterson ensured the pair were not around for the business end of the innings when he bowled Russell (27) and then completed the run-out of De Bruyn (45) in the same over.

With Levi scoring his runs from just 23 balls at the top of the Cobras innings, the scoreboard pressure was taken off the rest of the line-up.

Although they were pegged back by Dillon du Preez’s double strike in the ninth over and squeezed by Malusi Siboto’s canny bowling, which permitted just 15 runs in four overs, the required rate never rose above eight per over.

With Kieron Pollard’s firepower that was never a problem, and the West Indian’s unbeaten 23 from 12 balls saw the hosts over the line.

The Cobras remain in third place on the table, two points behind the second-placed Dolphins, but will feel that they are yet to hit top gear in the tournament.

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PARNELL SETS COBRAS UP FOR BONUS POINT WIN

Wayne Parnell’s four-wicket bag and brisk half-centuries from Stiaan van Zyl and Richard Levi carried the Cape Cobras up to second on the Momentum One-Day Cup table as they beat the VKB Knights with a bonus point at Boland Park.

Parnell returned figures of 4 for 40 from his 10 overs, nipping out two wickets in one over during his first spell, as the Knights were held to 211 for seven after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Recognising that the total was well below par, Levi and Van Zyl chased the bonus point right from the get-go, putting on 118 for the first wicket in under 24 overs before Levi was bowled by Malusi Siboto for 71.

Van Zyl was then aided by an aggressive Omphile Ramela, who stroked 43 from 41 balls, and finished unbeaten on 90 as the Cobras achieved the target in 38.1 overs to win by eight wickets.

The ease with which the batsmen completed the chase proved that there were no demons in the pitch, and showed just how well the Cobras bowlers had gone about their business.

Although the Knights made a reasonable start with Reeza Hendricks (30) and Rudi Second (23) putting on 47 for the first wicket, they were swiftly pegged back by Parnell’s brace – which claimed the scalps of Hendricks and Diego Rosier – and then another double breakthrough from Robin Peterson, who dismissed Second and Patrick Botha in consecutive overs.

That left Obus Pienaar to rebuild the innings with his captain, Werner Coetsee, and although the pair put on 107 for the sixth wicket, they were unable to inject any urgency into the innings as the Cobras bowlers all showed excellent discipline.

Peterson recorded figures of 2 for 28 in his 10 overs and Vernon Philander conceded just 31 runs in his quota, while Parnell grabbed the wickets of Coetsee (51) and Shadley van Schalkwyk in the final over of the innings to leave Pienaar unbeaten on 73.

With the batsmen grabbing the bonus point that the bowlers had offered up, the Cobras joined the Dolphins on nine points after three games, but sit behind them on net run-rate.

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