Maties’ explosive batting pair of Jean Bredenkamp and Fritz de Beer carried on where they left off against UCT with an outstanding 144 run partnership to take Maties to a resounding 41 run win at the NWU-Puk Oval on Wednesday morning.
Maties were put in to bat and made 192/4 from their 20 overs. Kovsies only managed 151/9 mainly thanks to Wihan Victor’s unbelievable solo effort of 97 not out from 67 balls.
Kovsies started like a house on fire as Dylan McKenzie got Tyler Smith out cheaply for 3 early on. This was the last bit of delight for Kovsies as De Beer and Bredenkamp took the term “partnership” to a whole new level. The duo batted with an absolute champion mentality and they are definitely two batsmen to keep an eye on this year.
There were a few nervous moments though and Kovsies will be kicking themselves that they missed a runout opportunity with the score on 72/1.
Their 144-run partnership finally ended when Bredenkamp was stumped off the bowling of Petrus du Plessis for 72.
De Beer, though, continued to bat with aplomb and he hit a number of massive sixes that left his team mates cheering louder the further it went each time. The left-hander hit five sixes and three fours in his knock of 84* from 65 balls at a strike rate of 132.30.
Kovsies showed intent in their chase as Victor hit a couple of glorious fours and sixes. He especially took a liking to Justin Dill who went for 23 in one over. Kovsies though lost their way as Niel Botha and Fenito Mehl took control with their spin bowling leaving Kovsies on 62/3 after 8 overs.
There was still hope for Kovsies with Victor at the crease as he reached a fifty just before the strategic timeout after 10 overs with Kovsies on 72/3. That hope slowly faded away when Botha took a brilliant catch at long on to get rid of Marno van Greuning for 9. In the next over Mehl got rid of Whitehead for a duck. The procession continued as Kovsies eventually ended on 151/9 despite Victor’s best efforts.
FNB Best Bowler: Mihlali May (Maties)
Samsung Man of the Match: Fritz de Beer (Maties)
Steers Best Batsman: Wihan Victor (Kovsies)
By Wouter Pienaar
