SA U-19’s open on a winning note

South Africa put all their offfield issues behind them to beat the West Indies by 31 runs in a thrilling opening match at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Potchefstroom yesterday.

The home team had been disrupted in the build-up to the tournament following the changing of captains, with Juan James replacing David Teeger, who’d been relieved of the leadership following comments he made last year about the war between Israel and Hamas.

There were also threats of protests at the ground.

The big hero for the South African yesterday was left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka, who took 5/38 in 9.1 overs to help his side bowl out the West Indies for 254 in their hunt for 286 to win after South Africa had posted 285/9 earlier in the day.

Maphaka ripped the heart out of the West Indies batting, taking three early wickets to leave them 17/3 and then 73/5.

Middle order batter Jewel Andrew waged something of a lone battle to get his team back in the contest, scoring a brilliant 130 off 96 balls, and with the men from the Caribbean well-placed at one stage on 225/6 it looked like they’d coast home.

But, the loss of some quick wickets late in their chase, including that of Andrew, left the West Indies short of their target and all out, with just under 10 overs to go.

Riley Norton, with 3/66 including the key wicket of Andrew, backed up Maphaka superbly.

Earlier, Dewan Marais, with 65 runs off 38 balls, and captain James, with 47 off 54, rescued the SA innings, after the hosts had slumped to 145/6.

Marais was played a wonderful knock with shots all around the wicket, to help his side get to 285/9, a decent total on a tricky pitch.

Lhuan-dre Pretoruis (40) and Teeger (44) also contributed, with Nathan Sealy taking 3/34 for the Windies.