Jason Rowles claimed an incredible five-wicket haul to set South Africa Under-19 Men on their way to a one-sided 10-wicket win over Cricket Namibia in the opening game of their three-match 50-over series in Windhoek on Monday.
The slow left-arm spinner sent down six overs in which he returned five wickets for just eight runs. Thirty-one out of his 36 deliveries were dots, with his unbelievable figures key to rolling over the hosts for 95 at the Namibia Cricket Ground.
Adnaan Lagadien then plundered nine fours and a six in a dashing unbeaten 65 off 47 balls to help the away side chase down their target inside 12 overs and go 1-0 up in the series. Match two takes place on Wednesday.
Before that, the junior Proteas will take full pride in this win after delivering a complete performance from the time they won the toss and bowled, right through until the end.
Fit-again Lions fast bowler JJ Bason (2/32) struck in the third over when he got rid of Muller Michael for a duck, before possibly the only passage of play that went well for the Namibians over the next 10 overs.
This was when Zacheo Jansen van Vuuren struck a top score of 41 and put on 41 with Malan Morkel (10) for the second wicket, allowing their side to reach 49 for one.
But Ntando Soni (1/22) then began the slide by dismissing the latter, with the former following just under three overs later when he was removed by another Dolphins player, Bandile Mbatha (1/9).
The slide continued as Rowles worked his magic and no other Namibia player managed to reach double figures. In the end they collapsed and were all out in 28 overs, which included losing nine wickets for 46 runs.
Lagadien was then in no mood to hang around, and together with Jorich van Schalkwyk (23* off 25 balls), chased down the target with 38.1 overs to spare.
SA U19 Men’s Squad against Cricket Namibia
Muhammad Bulbulia (captain, North West), Jason Rowles (captain, Lions), Waco Bassick (Western Province), JJ Basson (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Dayalan Boyce (Dolphins), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Kamogelo Phiri (Lions), Ntando Soni (Dolphins), and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).
Management
Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Blanche Conradie (Manager), Imraan Khan (Batting Coach), Paul Adams (Bowling Coach), Thabang Kumalo (Fielding Coach), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Sheenagh Jordaan (Physiotherapist), Kyle Southgate (Team Analyst), and Eugene Oppelt (Performance Psychologist).
Fixtures
Monday, 28 April at 09:30
Cricket Namibia lost to South Africa U19 by 10 wickets – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Wednesday, 30 April at 09:30
Cricket Namibia vs South Africa U19 – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Friday, 02 May at 09:30
Cricket Namibia vs South Africa U19 – High Performance Oval, Windhoek
