Sorry, no Christmas cracker

THE Border semi-professional cricket team ended their year on a low note when they crashed to two defeats against KwaZulu-Natal over the past weekend.

Border were beaten by six wickets in the Sunfoil three-day Cup match that ended on Saturday, before being thumped by 109 runs in the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge match played on Sunday.

It was an unfortunate way for Border to finish the first half of the current season, as they have been in good form in the three-day format.

They have, however, struggled in the shorter version of the game.

“It was a disappointing end to the year, but I feel we are in a good position to pick it up in the new year and move up the table,” said team manager Deon Muller.

“We have had a few matches this year where we have had draws when we should have won, and ... we probably shouldn’t have lost [at the weekend], but that’s cricket sometimes.”

The Border team that featured in the matches were, however, a very inexperienced one, and they will have learnt a lot from it.

“We had a number of our first team players out, so that was a bit of a blow, but it was good for our inexperienced players to get a game, and a few of them did well,” said Muller.

“But they need to get used to the team quickly and put in some positive performances, and take responsibility, so that they can secure their places in the team.”

It was Border’s first loss in the three-day cup this season, after picking up three draws and a win in their first four games.

Border were also very well-placed to force a draw in the match on the third morning, but a sporting declaration gave both sides the chance to win it, and in the end Border’s bowlers were found wanting as the KwaZuluNatal batsmen hit their straps to canter home.

Border batted first and were bowled out for a below-par 216 in the afternoon session of day one.

Opening batsman Mkhululi Calana was the hero of the innings, scoring his maiden century (106). He was the second-last batsman out, while only three other batsmen, Marco Marais (39), Loyiso Mdashe (18) and Clayton Bosch (13) reached double figures.

KwaZulu-Natal, however, found themselves in deep trouble at the end of the day, sitting on 75/4, and were then bowled out in the morning session of day two for 130.

Bosch bowled well to pick up 3/34 while Phumzile Majaja bowled a superb spell to clean up the tail, claiming 4/21off 4.1 overs.

Border then went on the offensive with the bat and Calana (44) and Majaja (44) combined for a solid 85run opening-wicket stand before both fell.

This then saw Martin Walters and Marco Marais score a 96-run partnership. Marais was out for 50, while Walters went on to make 83 before losing his wicket in the morning session of day three, with Border then declaring on 266/4. Jerry Nqolo was unbeaten on 35.

Needing 352 to win at a decent rate, KZN then put in a superb chase as Senuran Muthusamy (87), Dudu Zondo (52) and Sibonelo Makhanya (74) set them up, allowing Andile Phehlukwayo (64no) and Calvin Savage (46no) to guide them home.

In the one-day match it was a far more one-sided affair as KZN posted a solid 274/7, with Savage leading the charge with an unbeaten 67.

Border then lost wickets regularly throughout their for 165.

Border’s next matches will be against closest rivals Eastern Province, who they take on in three-day and one-day action from January 5-9.

In other action over the weekend, the Malan brothers, Pieter, Andre and Janneman, claimed their place in the annals of the game when they all scored first-class centuries in the same match.

Pieter, playing for Western Province, scored 117 not out in their second innings on Saturday, only for his brothers Janneman (135) and Andrew (103no), playing for North West, to lead the charge and steer them to a seven-wicket win. chase, to be dismissed