It was final-over drama of the highest degree as CUT claimed a nail-biting one-run victory against Madibaz at the NWU Oval, courtesy of some fantastic bowling and fielding under pressure.
It was CUT all-rounder, Hanco Olivier, who showed tremendous BMT to bowl the final over and secure a win for his team. Madibaz needed 9 from the final over to win and it went to the last ball with 3 required for victory. Olivier dislodged the bails after Madibaz’ Sean Callaghan looked for a game-tying second run to secure a dramatic win.
CUT batted first and made a below-par total of 128/7 from their 20 overs as their batsmen struggled to get any meaningful partnerships going. It was only Calvin Flanegan with 42 (24) who played with real freedom for the Bloem side. Flanegan hit three massive sixes, but was a run out by Tlangaleni Mushwana, which ended his spirited knock. It later turned out to be a match-winning knock.
Hlumelo Cekisani was the pick of the Madibaz bowlers with 3/14 as the students from the friendly city stifled CUT.
Wickets would be the only thing that could keep CUT in the game and fine catching from the men in light blue gave them that chance.
Thiardt Ingram and Keeno Orlein took two beautiful catches in the deep as Jarryd Lookwhy (21) and Michael Hansel (26) were dismissed in quick succession. Ingram also accounted for the wicket of Madibaz captain, Joshua van Heerden (5), via a run-out. That left the Madibaz on 66/3, still requiring 62 runs for victory.
CUT’s Hannes Venter (2/18) struck to deliver another blow to the Madibaz to leave them on 83/4. CUT needed 28 runs off the final three overs and decided to call the power play in order to finish the game off.
This had the opposite effect as the Madibaz lost the wicket of David Masterson with Hanco Oliver taking a great catch near the boundary rope. The Madibaz hit a boundary and courtesy of four byes needed 9 from the final over. It was not to be as CUT kept their cool and took the win – a wicket in the power play costing the Madibaz a win.
FNB Player of The Match: Calvin Flanegan (CUT)
MTN Pulse Bowler of the Match: Hlumelo Cekisani (Madibaz)
Steers Best Batsman: Calvin Flanegan (CUT)
Teams
CUT: Iviwe Gwana, Hanco Olivier, Calvin Flanegan, Eduan Coetzee, Thiardt Ingram, Keeno Orlein, Jason Reubenheimer, Mzukisi Singonzo, Hannes Venter, Franklin Damons, Relebohile Phanyane
Madibaz: Jarryd Lookwhy, Michael Hansel, Joshua van Heerden, Tristan Stubbs, David Masterson, Morne Venter, Sean Callaghan, Mark Amm, Tlangaleni Mushwana, Hlumelo Cekisani, Faheem Nomani
By Wouter Pienaar
