It did not take long for the former SA u.19 star and top order batsman, Raynard van Tonder, to make his mark for the North West Dragons.
Van Tonder compiled a brilliant 129* (145 balls) that included 6 fours and 2 sixes, which formed the foundation of the North West Dragons first innings score of 276/6 in their CSA One Day Cup opener against Western Province at the J.B. Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.
Van Tonder made use of favourable batting conditions and kept his cool in the blazing heat, as he ran numerous one’s and two’s in a classy knock.
NW Dragons captain, Wihan Lubbe (46 from 46) and Senuran Muthusamy (34 off 42) ably assisted Van Tonder in the middle overs, before Duan Jansen played a nifty cameo of 33* (22) at the back end of the innings.
The Dragons endured a mini slump when both Mika-eel Prince (1) and Ruan de Swardt (0) were cheaply dismissed by Beuran Hendricks (3/52). He and Nandre Burger (2/45) bowled with good temperament throughout the innings.
Western Province now need 277 for victory, in which should be an enthralling second innings chase under floodlights.
