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Hurst leads BHS to victory against Mozambique

He scored 102 off 104 to lead to his team to a 226-run win.

Josh Hurst’s well-crafted century led the Benoni High School U19 cricket team to a 226-run victory over Mozambique U19 at Lords Cricket Ground in Actonville on July 25.

The BHS scored 236/6 in the 35-over match and Hurst led from the front with a hard-fought 102 off 104 balls, including 12 boundaries, to hand his team a confidence-boosting victory ahead of the Eastern School Cricket Premier League season.

Josh Hurst acknowledges the crowd after scoring his century.

Batting first, the BHS lost the wickets of Jarrod Miller and Robbie Birsch. Hurst and Ahmed Imran then stitched together 138 for the third wicket, with Imran caught at deep backward square in the 22nd over after racing to a quick-fire 54 off 37, which included four maximums and two fours.

Hurst bided his time when in the 90s and reached the milestone with a four down the ground, raising his bat with excitement before retiring.

Josh Hurst.

“They are a difficult team and we knew they we going to play decent cricket. It’s my first game in two months. I just tried to build my innings and not do anything careless,” he said.

The right-hander’s innings were built on sweat, patience, timing and immaculate shot-selection.

On his time in the middle, especially his shot-selection and dealing with Mozambique’s variations of spin in the middle overs, he cited the extra hours in the nets.

“My shot selection is my strong point. I know how to react when the ball lands. I’m also in the nets five times a week. So, my hard work is paying-off.”

Jarrod Miller looks to go over the ropes.

After the right-hander’s retirement, Morgan Rademeyer took them to 263 before Jason Russell tore through the Mozambican batting line-up to dismiss them for 37 in 17 overs.

Russell ended up with 4/4 while Sohail Ebrahim took 3/4. Rademeyer, Imran and Josh took a single scalp each.

“I’m incredibly proud of the BHS cricket programme and how much the boys have grown. They have put in a phenomenal shift to get to where they are,” said coach Andrew Smith.

Ahmad Imran.

Smith said he is confident the team will do well in the league, especially given their successful preseason campaign, which started with the Buffels Cricket Week in June in Tzaneen.

Smith’s U15/U16 side claimed a 37-run victory against the Belvedere School’s U19s on July 27. The preseason continues this weekend with a match against Affies before playing SBC Zimbabwe Independent 11 and Actonville Hub.

Robbie Birch takes a shot.

They start their season with Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen’s U14s, U15s and U19s under the lights at St Dunstan’s College on August 31.

“We have been promoted back into the premier league. We are excited to see where the BHS cricket is headed,” Smith said.

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