The University of Fort Hare started their University Sport South Africa (USSA) B Cricket Week off with a bang as they thumped Durban University of Technology (DUT) by 118 runs at a sunny Hams club yesterday afternoon.The hosts, who won the toss and elected to bat, struck a solid 167/6 in their 20 overs before dismantling the DUT batting lineup to cruise home in the 16th over.
“I am happy with the win, but I feel it could have been more convincing,” said Fort Hare interim coach Jongile Kilani.
“To allow them to face that many overs was a little disappointing as we have a quality side here.
“But this is the first match and I feel they will get sharper as the week goes on.”
Needing to score at over eight an over to chase down Fort Hare's target, DUT were never in the match as they struggled for runs while constantly losing wickets, and eventually they were all out for 49 off 16.4 overs.
Sibulele Mvinjelwa (one) was first out in the second over, as Sango Minnie trapped him lbw. Siyanqoba Ngiba (two) was then bowled by Minnie in his next over, reducing them to 13/2.
A double strike in the sixth over then saw opener Wesley Luchai (five) run out and Mqondisi Zulu (two) caught by Fort Hare captain Phumelela Payi to become Minnie's third victim as they slipped to 18/4. Khulu Batala (two) and Bukhosi Hlubi (14) then shared the innings’ best partnership of 17 before the final five wickets fell for 14 runs. The next four wickets all belonged to Mkhululi Calana as Batala was stumped by Jason van Zyl, Hlubi was trapped lbw, Muzi Zaca bowled for a duck and Husaifa Aboo also went for a duck.
The innings ended when Siphiwe Gabayi (one) was caught by Payi off the bowling of Chumani Ngcokovane.
Calana's fantastic figures of 4/6 off four overs was the pick of the bunch.
In the first innings Fort Hare got off to the perfect start as openers Van Zyl and Sive Xaluva shared a blistering first wicket stand of 54 that set them up for their total.
They brought up the 50 partnership off just 29 balls in the fifth over and were looking to step on the gas when the change of bowler got the breakthrough as Van Zyl, who had smashed four boundaries and a six in an attacking knock of 28 off just 14 balls, played back to bowler Aboo.
Aviwe Sentwa joined Xaluva at the crease and they kept the run-rate at above a run a ball, with good running between the wickets that kept the score ticking.
Having reached 83 after nine overs, Sentwa, who was on a run-a-ball 18, was bizarrely dismissed when attempting to take a single when the ball was thrown at the stumps and looked as if it was going to hit them when it deflected off his bat.
The umpire then adjudged him to have obstructed the field and gave him out.
In the next over opener Xaluva was finally dismissed for 30, caught by Zulu off the bowling of Ngiba.
Calana was then joined at the wicket by Ngcokovane (one) who did not last long as he became Ngiba's second wicket, caught by Mvinjewa off the first ball of the 13th over with Fort Hare slipping to 98/4.
Lwando Makhongolo (four) did not look comfortable in his 10 ball stay, eventually falling lbw to Zaca with them on 115/5.
Calana, who had been quietly going about his business, then took centre-stage as he struck a couple of boundaries and a pulled maximum as he upped the tempo.
Going for a straight six Calana's innings high effort of 37 off 26 balls was finally ended as Gabayi took an impressive one-handed catch above his head on the boundary off the bowling of Luchai in the 18th over with Fort Hare on 147/6.
Edwin Toroveyi (16no) and Phumelela Payi (9no) then took them to the innings break on 167/6.
lIn the day’s other fixtures, Zululand won their opening match against DUT by four wickets, Sefako Makgaku University (SMU) won their match against the University of Limpopo (Turfloop) by 71 runs and the University of Venda (Venda) beat Mangosuthu University (MUT) by 48 runs all in the morning session.
In the afternoon as Fort Hare beat DUT, Turfloop beat Venda by four wickets.
MUT and Zululand's result had not come through yet.
A rip-roaring start for Fort Hare
The hosts, who won the toss and elected to bat, struck a solid 167/6 in their 20 overs before dismantling the DUT batting lineup to cruise home in the 16th over.
“I am happy with the win, but I feel it could have been more convincing,” said Fort Hare interim coach Jongile Kilani.
“To allow them to face that many overs was a little disappointing as we have a quality side here.
“But this is the first match and I feel they will get sharper as the week goes on.”
Needing to score at over eight an over to chase down Fort Hare's target, DUT were never in the match as they struggled for runs while constantly losing wickets, and eventually they were all out for 49 off 16.4 overs.
Sibulele Mvinjelwa (one) was first out in the second over, as Sango Minnie trapped him lbw. Siyanqoba Ngiba (two) was then bowled by Minnie in his next over, reducing them to 13/2.
A double strike in the sixth over then saw opener Wesley Luchai (five) run out and Mqondisi Zulu (two) caught by Fort Hare captain Phumelela Payi to become Minnie's third victim as they slipped to 18/4. Khulu Batala (two) and Bukhosi Hlubi (14) then shared the innings’ best partnership of 17 before the final five wickets fell for 14 runs. The next four wickets all belonged to Mkhululi Calana as Batala was stumped by Jason van Zyl, Hlubi was trapped lbw, Muzi Zaca bowled for a duck and Husaifa Aboo also went for a duck.
The innings ended when Siphiwe Gabayi (one) was caught by Payi off the bowling of Chumani Ngcokovane.
Calana's fantastic figures of 4/6 off four overs was the pick of the bunch.
In the first innings Fort Hare got off to the perfect start as openers Van Zyl and Sive Xaluva shared a blistering first wicket stand of 54 that set them up for their total.
They brought up the 50 partnership off just 29 balls in the fifth over and were looking to step on the gas when the change of bowler got the breakthrough as Van Zyl, who had smashed four boundaries and a six in an attacking knock of 28 off just 14 balls, played back to bowler Aboo.
Aviwe Sentwa joined Xaluva at the crease and they kept the run-rate at above a run a ball, with good running between the wickets that kept the score ticking.
Having reached 83 after nine overs, Sentwa, who was on a run-a-ball 18, was bizarrely dismissed when attempting to take a single when the ball was thrown at the stumps and looked as if it was going to hit them when it deflected off his bat.
The umpire then adjudged him to have obstructed the field and gave him out.
In the next over opener Xaluva was finally dismissed for 30, caught by Zulu off the bowling of Ngiba.
Calana was then joined at the wicket by Ngcokovane (one) who did not last long as he became Ngiba's second wicket, caught by Mvinjewa off the first ball of the 13th over with Fort Hare slipping to 98/4.
Lwando Makhongolo (four) did not look comfortable in his 10 ball stay, eventually falling lbw to Zaca with them on 115/5.
Calana, who had been quietly going about his business, then took centre-stage as he struck a couple of boundaries and a pulled maximum as he upped the tempo.
Going for a straight six Calana's innings high effort of 37 off 26 balls was finally ended as Gabayi took an impressive one-handed catch above his head on the boundary off the bowling of Luchai in the 18th over with Fort Hare on 147/6.
Edwin Toroveyi (16no) and Phumelela Payi (9no) then took them to the innings break on 167/6.
lIn the day’s other fixtures, Zululand won their opening match against DUT by four wickets, Sefako Makgaku University (SMU) won their match against the University of Limpopo (Turfloop) by 71 runs and the University of Venda (Venda) beat Mangosuthu University (MUT) by 48 runs all in the morning session.
In the afternoon as Fort Hare beat DUT, Turfloop beat Venda by four wickets.
MUT and Zululand's result had not come through yet.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos