St Andrew’s School, St David’s Marist Inanda and Hoërskool Garsfontein got their Schools SA20 Final Showdown campaigns on the road with victories during the opening round at the University of Pretoria (Tuks) on Wednesday.

Saints from Bloemfontein secured a 37-run victory over Northwood School according to the Duckworth/Lewis-method. Their match was cut short due to lightning and rain with 21 deliveries to go on the Tuks Oval.

Saints won the toss and elected to bat first. They reached 162/7 in their 20 overs with opening batter Naudé Botha (45) making the biggest contribution. Johnathan Hickley (28) and Johan Liebenberg (25) also chipped in.

Northwood’s Jordan Matthews (3/20) caused the most problems for the Saints batters with his crafty bowling.

Tuswa Phetha (31) tried his best to keep the team from Durban in the game. When they however also lost Connor Leclezio (13) due to an injury it left them in trouble.

St David’s won their opening encounter against Cricket South Africa’s HUB Invitational XI by 13 runs according to the Duckworth/Lewis-method.

The team from Johannesburg posted a total of 173/3 in their allotted 20 overs. The Manack brothers, Morteza (55*) and Armaan (45), making the biggest contributions.

Armaan shared a 65-run partnership for the second wicket with South African U19 player Kamogelo Phiri (26). Morteza and Samrat Basu (19*) shared an unbeaten 70-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Morteza faced a mere 29 deliveries as he struck five fours and three sixes during his unbeaten half-century. Another SA U19 player Enathi Kitshini was the pick of the Invitational side’s bowling attack, picking up 2/33 with his spin bowling.

The CSA HUB Invitational XI put up a valiant effort reaching 119/4 when lightning and later rain interrupted their innings after 16.1 overs. At that stage, Tshepang Laka (48*) and Paul Matlala’s (33*) partnership for the fifth wicket was on a steady 77 runs.

Morteza Manack, who picked up three wickets at the cost of only 15 runs, was also the pick of his side’s bowling attack. Morteza picked up the first Schools SA20 Player of the Day Award, along with the coveted red cap.

Garsfontein secured a comfortable five-wicket victory over Graeme College as they surpassed the target of 142 with the first delivery of the 18th over.

It was their opening batters, Reuben van Zyl (37) and Charl van Staden (29), who laid the foundation with a 69-run partnership in the first six overs.

Graeme College’s Corbin Tidbury (52) also starred with a solid half-century. Garsies’ Echard Struwig bowled well to return figures of 2/27 in his four overs.

Thursday will see the first round of the girls’ fixtures get under way. The matches will start at 09h00 and be live on the SuperSport Schools app, DStv Channel 216 and SABC Plus.

Summarised Scores

St Andrew’s School 162/7 (Naudé Botha 45, Johnathan Hickley 28, Extraas 26, Johan Liebenberg 25; Jordan Matthews 3/20); Northwood 93/6 (Tuswa Phetha 31; Heindré Serfontein 1/5, Andrew Sobiech 1/5). St Andrew’s School won by 37 runs (D/L-method).

St David’s Marist 173/3 (Morteza Manack 55*, Armaan Manack 45, Extras 23, Kamogelo Phiri 26; Enathi Kitshini 2/33); CSA HUB Invitational 119/4 (Tshepang Laka 48*, Paul Matlala 33*; Morteza Manack 3/15). St David’s Marist won by 13 runs (D/L-method).

Graeme College 141/5 (Corbin Tidbury 52, Luphelo Mdyesha 28; Echard Struwig 2/27); Garsfontein 144/5 (Reuben van Zyl 37, Charl van Staden 29; Ajay Jeggels 2/28). Garsfontein won by five wickets