ESikhawini are the ‘raining’ champions
IT took two superb batting efforts by eSikhawini Cricket Club to see them take the Saturday 24-Over shield with a 35-run win over Empangeni CC.
Well done to the two teams for contesting the match in trying, rain-affected conditions that saw the format reduced to 6-ball rather than the traditional 8-ball overs.
Empangeni won the toss and chose to field at Addison Park, and for a while it appeared to be a good decision after the visitors lost an early wicket, but Sihle Mathenjwa weighed in with 13 runs before departing the crease.
This brought together Nishen Dhanasar and captain Sizwe Ntanzi, and the pair would smash a century partnership in quick time.
The former compiled 65 runs off 72 balls, while Ntanzi upped the run rate with an unbeaten 58 off just 44 balls.
Opposing captain Steph Joubert fared best with the ball, claiming 2/19 but by then eSikhawini had posted a formidable 164/4.
All-rounder Joubert got the response off to a solid start with a knock of 23 but he had little support from the Empangeni top order and, as wickets fell with regularity, Mark Shorkend took it upon himself to up the ante, smashing 50 not out off 36 balls.
But it was too little too late as they ran out of overs, lapsing to 129/7 and defeat at the hands of the better team on the day, with Philani Cuambe 2/18 and Sfundo Dladla 2/35 doing the damage with the ball.
KCCD president Carmen Lendrum was delighted to hand over the trophy to eSikhawini’s Sizwe Ntanzi and his ecstatic teammates and supporters – a fitting finale to a great competition.
Next up will be the T20 League, which starts this weekend:
Saturday
Empangeni vs Brackenham - Addison Park Eshowe vs Felixton - Mally Abraham ERFC1 vs Thandanani - Mick Kelly
Sunday
eSikhawini vs Unizulu - Addison Park Umfolozi vs R/Bay - Umfolozi