After being sent to bat first, the home side impressed in front of their home crowd when they opened the game’s innings and raced to 196 runs in their allotted overs of the Eastern Cricket Premier League match.
However, it wasn’t enough to cause the upset against the in-form Prince George Park Premier XI, who overhauled the asked target in 42.2 overs to earn a five-wicket win.
Delighted Boksburg captain Adam Forbes, whose knock of 88 turned the tide in his side’s favour, said: “The wicket looked a bit green. I won the toss and chose to bowl first.
“We had fun out there and it was a first for us playing on a field with cows and goats next to it; it was lekker though because there were people singing and dancing next to the field too.”
Quizzed on his outstanding personal haul, the skipper refused to take all the credit and instead lauded his troops for their collective effort in getting the win.
“I’m very happy. Players put their hands up when we needed them and everyone did what they needed to. It was a good all-round team performance.”
KwaThema’s top order batsman Peter Vonya set the tone for the high-scoring afternoon when he hit the half ton mark before being dismissed on 51.
He was joined by teammates Nhlanhla Mashego and Albert Mohlala as their side’s big scorers posted 42 and 39 respectively.
Calvin Ntombela did an admirable job in disrupting the visitors’ momentum with his bowling figures of 3/5 in 6.2 overs.
If it wasn’t for Jordan Hollard, the home side would’ve probably hit the tricky 200-run mark but the Boksburg bowler had none of it as he ended with 4/27 in nine overs – including a single maiden.
Following a shaky start in their batting innings were Ahkter Rasul and Bryce Parsons; Hollard could just manage 14 runs between them, while Forbes brought some stability, calm and urgency.
The skipper was joined by Chris Opperman behind the crease and their partnership all but got the job done.
Opperman ended with 43 as his side scored 197/5 for the victory. – @SabeloBoksburg
