Stolk blitz powers SA juniors ahead

An incredible record-breaking blitz from South Africa U19 batter Steve Stolk helped his side to a resounding seven wicket win over Scotland U19 in Potchefstroom to send them into the Super Six phase of the U19 Cricket World Cup in terrific form.

Thanks to the hosts chasing down a tricky total of 270 to win in just 27 overs, it lifted them to the top of their pool on net run rate after they finished level on points with England and the West Indies, with all three teams winning two and losing one match.

For rising talent Stolk it was a record breaking day as he smashed his way to the quickest ever half-century in U19 World Cup history, reaching the mark off 13 balls, to smash the previous record of 18 balls set by India’s Rishabh Pant.

He was eventually out for 86 off 37 balls (7x4’s, 8x6’s), but by that stage the SA U19s were on 134/2 after just 10.4 overs, which allowed Dewan Marais, 80 not out off 50 (8x4’s, 3x6’s) and David Teeger, 43 not out off 38 (6x4’s) to settle in before taking them over the line.

“I feel ecstatic. It was really a team effort. In the field it wasn’t easy, I think they batted quite well. But we fought until the end,” said a humble Stolk after the match.

“When I came in the task wasn’t to get it (chase down the score) this fast. But I felt good and I just kept on going.

“My opening partner Lhuandre (Pretorius) kept pushing me to keep going. He keeps me pumped up. Getting to a fifty in 13 balls was quite unreal, it was special. The whole team came together this game. It was a great team effort.”

In the SA U19s previous two games they beat the West Indies by 31 runs, but lost against England by 36 runs on the DLS method.

Their first game of the Super Six phase sees them facing fellow African side Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.