Tony de Zorzi’s century helped power Western Province to a 141-run victory against the AET Tuskers (via DLS Method) in the Cricket South Africa (CSA) 1 Day Cup on Wednesday.
With multiple rain interruptions during the day, Western Province had done enough to ensure an uphill battle for the Tuskers.
Asked to bat first, de Zorzi blasted a 113 ball 143 and the hosts amassed a total of 381 runs in 49 overs after time lost in rain delay resulted in the loss of an over.
His quest was supported by partnerships with David Bedingham (67 off 39) and George Linde (88 off 69) who smashed half centuries, making solid contributions in setting the high target.
De Zorzi and Bendigham provided a solid 154-run partnership for the second wicket before the latter fell to Malcom Nofal (2/51) in the 21st Over. This was followed by two quick wickets of Kyle Verreynne and Valentine Kitime before de Zorzi connected with Linde for 75 runs.
Mbulelo Budaza (4/51) was the pick of the bowlers for Tuskers, dismissing Linde, Abdullah Bayoumy (16), Beuran Hendricks (11) and Mthiwekhaya Nabe for none.
Skipper Michael Erlank scooped the sole wicket of de Zorzi and the hosts suffered two run outs in Jonathan Bird (6) and Mihlali Mpongwana (28) to end the innings on 381 all out.
With the target set on 382, Tuskers could only tally up 241 runs as wickets kept falling at regular intervals throughout their innings.
Half centuries from Malcom Nofal (70 off 59), Tian Koekemoer (53 off 71) and Kyle Nipper’s 46 runs that saw the visitors provide some resistance in the middle.
Upfront, Nandre Burger (3/42) created the most destruction, dismissing openers Dilivio Ridgaard (5) and Kagiso Rapulana (16) before takingthe final wicket of Nipper.
Linde backed his performance with the bat by claiming the two crucial scalps of Nofal and Pite van Biljon (2) whilst Bayoumy (3/36) cleared the tail with Alindile Mhletywa and Thando Ntini going for none and Keith Dudgeon with 18 runs.
In Division 2, Northen Cape Heat defeated hosts, Mpumalanga Rhinos by six wickets in White River whilst Eastern Storm won by 43 runs against Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers in Benoni.
UPCOMING CSA ONE DAY CUP MATCHES:
DIVISION 1
Friday, 06 October 2023
13h00: DP World Lions vs Dafabet Warriors – DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg
DIVISION 2
Friday, 06 October 2023
10h00: SA Emerging vs Limpopo Impalas – Tuks Oval, Pretoria
