Central Gauteng Lions sail to victory in BCSA One Day Cup

Central Gauteng Lions added another title to their growing list of accolades at the Blind Cricket South Africa (BCSA) One Day Cup.

The 40 over per innings competition was a three-day tournament from April 28 to 30 featuring a four-team round-robin played at Pirates Cricket Club and Roodepoort’s Voortrekker Park. North West, Boland, and Central Gauteng qualified from their regional pools with Western Province earning the fourth spot as the best second-placed finishers.

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On day one, North West faced Western Province at Pirates. Batting first, North West set an early marker as they posted 305/4 in their 40 overs before skittling their opponents out for 176 in 29 overs. At Voortrekker Park, the rain gave Central Gauteng a 23-run comparative score victory, Boland sitting on 196/ compared to Central Gauteng’s 219/3 at the same 30-over mark when the rain fell. Central Guateng’s Buhle Bhidla starring with 147 runs off 177 balls to propel his team to the win.

Day two was the Cape derby, Western Province posting 254 in 37 overs in the first innings. Thanks to 105 runs off 98 balls by Jevon Marks and 88 off 87 by Rene Campher, Boland knocked over the target in under 28 overs. Rain again interrupted Central Gauteng’s match with North West, the hosts being awarded the match by 26 runs and four wickets ahead in the comparative stage of the innings.

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Hoping results went their way across town, North West played their final against Boland in Roodepoort on day three. Reduced to 28 overs thanks to a late start due to a wet outfield, Boland was sent into bat and restricted to 136/8 in their 28 overs, In a tight chase, North West crossed the line in the 25th over to guarantee at least second.

Hoping for a full day’s play and knowing that a win would seal the championship, Central Gauteng Lions won the toss ad sent Western Province into bat. Any nerves would have settled early as they bulldozed the men from Cape Town, dismissing them for 126 in 29 overs. Njabulo Ngubane took three wickets for 28 runs. Another stellar 90 off 51 from Buhle Bhidla powered the hosts to the target in under 13 overs, crowing them 2023 Blind One Day Cup champions.

“We have made good strides. It has grown more consistently since 2018 because since then we have had an annual tournament. As a result, more provinces are developing club structures too. It has been growing in leaps and bounds. I highly encourage anyone who is partially sighted or blind to get involved,” said national coordinator, Mdu Nwawose, noting how the affiliates have grown from six to nine in the space of two years.

Roodepoort Cricket Club’s Stella Goosen was honoured to have the chance to host the teams over the three-day competition.
“It has been an amazing experience. Everything has runny smoothly and the guys have been a pleasure to have here,” said Stella, acknowledging the work of Mdu and vice-chairperson for SCSA, Michael Leadbitter.

The long-term goal for BCSA is to close the gap between international pace-setters Pakistan and India while aiming to make an unprecedented impact at the Blind World Cup in November 2024.