It was a frustrating day for the Border semi-professional cricket team as a poor performance with the bat and inclement weather spoiled the first day of their Sunfoil 3-day Cup match against Northerns at Buffalo Park yesterday.
When umpires called play late in the afternoon for persistent rain Border were struggling on 120/7 with Jerry Nqolo on 35 and Phaphama Fojela on two, unbeaten at the crease.
“We are disappointed that the weather cut the day short, but the conditions out there were really challenging for our batsman,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
When play resumes this morning Border will hope to get a few more runs on the board before unleashing their bowling attack.
“I think this is a bowling wicket and our guys will be very excited to bowl in these conditions,” admitted Plaatjes.
“But we will have to be very disciplined and make sure that our lines and lengths are good throughout the match.”
The day began with Northerns winning the toss and electing to field under heavy cloud cover and the move proved to be the correct one as they took charge immediately.
Openers Mkhului Calana and Gionne Koopman tried to weather the early pressure and moved slowly to 18 runs after nine overs, before Migael Pretorius had Calana (3) caught off the first ball of the 10th.
Martin Walters was then removed for an 11-ball duck, trapped lbw by Pretorius at the end of the 12th over and two balls later Koopman (9) was bowled by Eldred Hawken as Border slipped to 24/3.
Darryl Brown (9) was the next to fall also bowled by Hawken and when Marco Marais, who had looked positive in scoring 20, was trapped in front lbw to Grant Thompson, Border were in deep trouble at 60/5.
Athenkosi Mnci then joined Nqolo at the crease and they safely steered Border to 87/5 at lunch.
Following the break Border added just two runs to the score before a double strike from Hawken saw him bowl Mnci (14) and then trap Clayton Bosch in front for a first ball duck in the 31st over.
Fojela then came to the crease and he defended stoutly while Nqolo played a few shots to take them to 117/7 when rain came down to suspend play.
An early tea was then taken and with the rain stopped players got back on the field.
However just a further 10 balls was possible with Border moving on to 120/7 when rain returned the second time to end the day’s play.
In the end with only 41.4 overs possible in the day and with further bad weather predicted it will be hard to get a result over the next two days.
“It will be tough to get a result but I think anything is possible,” admitted Plaatjes.
Play will resume today at 9.30am.
Frustrations as Border fail to hit ground running
When umpires called play late in the afternoon for persistent rain Border were struggling on 120/7 with Jerry Nqolo on 35 and Phaphama Fojela on two, unbeaten at the crease.
“We are disappointed that the weather cut the day short, but the conditions out there were really challenging for our batsman,” said Border coach Frank Plaatjes.
When play resumes this morning Border will hope to get a few more runs on the board before unleashing their bowling attack.
“I think this is a bowling wicket and our guys will be very excited to bowl in these conditions,” admitted Plaatjes.
“But we will have to be very disciplined and make sure that our lines and lengths are good throughout the match.”
The day began with Northerns winning the toss and electing to field under heavy cloud cover and the move proved to be the correct one as they took charge immediately.
Openers Mkhului Calana and Gionne Koopman tried to weather the early pressure and moved slowly to 18 runs after nine overs, before Migael Pretorius had Calana (3) caught off the first ball of the 10th.
Martin Walters was then removed for an 11-ball duck, trapped lbw by Pretorius at the end of the 12th over and two balls later Koopman (9) was bowled by Eldred Hawken as Border slipped to 24/3.
Darryl Brown (9) was the next to fall also bowled by Hawken and when Marco Marais, who had looked positive in scoring 20, was trapped in front lbw to Grant Thompson, Border were in deep trouble at 60/5.
Athenkosi Mnci then joined Nqolo at the crease and they safely steered Border to 87/5 at lunch.
Following the break Border added just two runs to the score before a double strike from Hawken saw him bowl Mnci (14) and then trap Clayton Bosch in front for a first ball duck in the 31st over.
Fojela then came to the crease and he defended stoutly while Nqolo played a few shots to take them to 117/7 when rain came down to suspend play.
An early tea was then taken and with the rain stopped players got back on the field.
However just a further 10 balls was possible with Border moving on to 120/7 when rain returned the second time to end the day’s play.
In the end with only 41.4 overs possible in the day and with further bad weather predicted it will be hard to get a result over the next two days.
“It will be tough to get a result but I think anything is possible,” admitted Plaatjes.
Play will resume today at 9.30am.
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