Ottoman Cricket Club's bowler Abdul-Galeem Rylands in mid-air during an appeal in his side's match against Pinelands. Supporting his appeal are wicketkeeper Brent Piet and first slip Taariq Behardien, who is also the club's head coach.
It was the weekend of the underdogs, following some sensational performances from school and club cricket across the city.
Teams represented their colours in the Western Province Cricket Associations’ (WPCA) Schools SA, First Division 1A, Women’s Division and Premier League cricket, from the south, north, central and Atlantic seaboard.
In the south, Bishops stunned a stubborn Rondebosch High School’s First XI team in their 74-run win, at the Frank Reid sports field, on Saturday.
Bishops First XI won the toss, chose to bat first and scored 212/8 in 50 overs. Cole Crawford scored 56 off 49 balls. Superhero of the day, Storm Matthews was good with both bat and ball. He contributed 44 runs and took six wickets (6/25).
It was up to the Rondebosch bowlers to make an early breakthrough. Oscar Gaunt and Nate Adams averaged between two to three-and-a-half runs an over with the ball. Gaunt recorded 3/34 and Adams 1/23.
Batsmen of the day, for Rondebosch, was Tom Pregens with a well deserved 55 runs. Teammates, Charlie Mumford (25) and Darren Walters (27) contributed to the teams total of 138 runs over 23.5 overs. Bishops won by 74 runs.
Over to the North, Bellville Cricket Club faced Ottoman Cricket Club, from Athlone, in the WPCA Premier League.
Ottoman won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 127 runs in 42 overs. The highlight in their batting was Faheem Adams’ 37 runs and Taahir Samaai’s 20 runs. When it came to the bowling attack, Mujahid Isaacs took 3/26 in six overs, while opening bowler, Mogamad Taahir Fredericks took 2/26 in 8.5 overs.
During Bellville’s bowling spell, Cody Nieuwoudt bagged 4/31 in eight overs. Abrie Coetzee took 3/14 runs in seven overs, while opening bowler, Evert Pieter Carstens got 2/20 in six overs. With the bat, Bellville’s Courtney Adams scored a patient 31 runs off 68 balls before he was dismissed. Undefeated Bryce Moore scored 19 runs off 20 balls to help his side reach 130/7 and win by three wickets.
Arguably the game of the weekend was the First Division 1A clash between Victoria Cricket Club and Milnerton Cricket Club, in Lansdowne.
Vics posted 222/7 runs in 50 full overs. It was, in general, a good game of cricket, from both the home team, Vics, and the visitors. Milnerton finished 226/8. These two teams gave each other a run for their money, from the beginning until the end.
In fact, it took Milnerton 42 overs to score 226 runs. They looked like a team that could go for another three to five more overs. Their form is impeccable this season. Fourth-placed batsman, Justin du Toit scored 99 runs before he was dismissed with an LBW by Matthew Rainier.
It was a good pitch for the batters in both sides. For Vics, opening batsman, Max Harshim (58) and middle-order batsman, Warrick Rhoda (53 not-out) helped their team to reach the double hundred mark.
In the bowling section, Milnerton’s Kieron Paterson picked up 2/25 and Keegan Fortune picked up 3/67. Rondebosch’s best bowling figures were a team effort: Magmoed Petersen grabbed 3/58, Matthew Rainer got 2/21 and the rest of the bowlers shared a wicket each. Milnerton won by two wickets.
With the sports fever strong in city this summer, cricket fanatics are spoilt for choice with the introduction of the SA20 competition. The MI Cape Town team will be represented by a pack of local and international cricketers who will add to the entertainment throughout the next few months. Tickets in the first game were sold out.
Head coach at the MI Cape Town, Simon Katich said a common conversation among the coaches was the excitement and energy among the group.
“We train with intent and purpose, that's what the scenario is about every day. It's about helping each other prepare for the season ahead. It's a great opportunity to start well and then build on today into the next few days. So enjoy the experience and get out there and have fun.”
MI Cape Town’s star-studded player roster includes Proteas pace legend Kagiso Rabada, rising batting prodigy Dewald Brevis, England T20 players Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone and Olly Stone, as well as established SA players Rassie van der Dussen, Beuran Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton – under the captaincy of Afghanistan superstar Rashid Khan.