Malan’s unbeaten 69 steers NWU-Pukke to Red Bull Campus Cricket final

NWU-Pukke booked their place in the 2017 Red Bull Campus Cricket final this morning (Friday 15 September) with a brilliant 7 wicket win against Bangladesh at the Galle International Stadium in Sri-Lanka.

The opening pair of Janneman Malan and Wihan Lubbe 32 (15) were once again in full force with Malan taking man of the match honours for his 69* (47) to steer his side into the finals. Malan has had a majestic tournament with the willow and is currently the top run scorer with 195 runs to his name. Pukke restricted Bangladesh to 121/7 and then chased down the score with 32 balls to spare.

In a crucial semi-final match, the boys from Potchefstroom showed what SA cricket is all about with a professional and consummate display from both their bowlers and batsmen. Jovaun van Wyngaardt (2/21) and JP le Roux (1/21) were outstanding in the early overs to peg back the Bangladeshi batsman to 36/2. Dyllan Matthews (1/16) and Niel Durow (1/18) also kept up the pressure with economical bowling to restrict Bangladesh to a low score of 121/7 in their 20 overs.

Pukke were also electrifying in the field and achieved two run outs with accurate throwing.

Malan and Lubbe’s opening partnership of 63 laid the platform and although they lost the wickets of Lubbe and Marques Ackerman in quick succession, Pukke’s Malan kept a cool head and alongside Edrich Lubbe (10) put up a good 48 run partnership.

Pukke will play in the final tomorrow (Saturday, 16 September) against either hosts Sri Lanka of Australia and are just 40 overs away from a potential Campus Cricket trophy in their cabinet.