A century by Janneman Malan and half-centuries from Raynard van Tonder and Jason Smith were in vain as SA Emerging suffered a 2-run defeat in a final-over thriller against the USSA XI.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, South Africa Emerging could not have asked for a better start as their 19-year-old opening bowler Marco Jansen struck with the very first ball of the game, taking the wicket of Isma-eel Gafieldien for a duck.
Their captain, Neil Brand, however, sparked their recovery and starred with an impressive century.
Brand scored 100 off 88 balls and all-rounder Delano Potgieter scored 71 off 102 balls as they strung together an impressive 116-run fourth-wicket partnership. Ruan de Swardt chipped in with an unbeaten 39 off just 25 deliveries. USSA XI posted a competitive 297-7 in their 50 overs.
The pick of the bowlers in the first innings were Jansen with figures of 3-54 (10 Overs) and Dayyaan Galiem who returned figures of 2-52 (10 Overs).
SA Emerging’s response was lethal at first. After losing the wicket of Tony de Zorzi (5), Malan (108 off 88 balls) and Van Tonder (71 off 102 deliveries) put on a 176-run second-wicket partnership.
Despite the blistering start, the chase went to the final over. Needing just 8 runs to win, with six wickets in hand, SA Emerging failed to get over the line. It was Potgieter again who proved his worth. He only conceded 5 runs for the loss of two wickets. His over included the wicket of an in-form Jason Smith, who scored 56 off 59 balls, and the run out of Sibonelo Makhanya who returned to the pavilion without facing a ball.
The USSA XI won by 2 runs.
Ongama Gcwabe is a sports journalist and the owner of 100mph_CSA. Follow him on – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
Photo: Dev Govindjee/@DevMatchRef Twitter
