Rain spoils local cricket derby
CBC’s Johan du Preez produced a batting masterpiece against local rivals Boksburg at Prince George Park on Sunday, December 8, in a match that was later forced to an abrupt halt because of rain.
Du Preez hit a century in a CBC total of 259 for five in a match, which was limited to 38 overs a side after a late start courtesy of a wet pitch.
The opening batsman went on to make a total of 126 before a light dismissal, which saw his stumps knocked over after being found out of his crease.
Boksburg, who were looking for their first win since October, were without star batsman John Haywood, who was said to have attended family matters.
Haywood was joined by fellow top order batsman Louis Grobler on the absentees list.
Squad captain Marius Labuschagne has allegedly stepped down as skipper and has opted to join the Boksburg Promotion League side; he was allegedly joined by top order batsman Fritz Sommer and bottom order batter Michael Meyer.
The visiting side was also without their star player in the form of talismanic batsman Wesley Coulentianos, who was replaced by du Preez.
Henning du Plooy, who partnered du Preez as CBC’s openers, scored 17 before teammate Sam Mhlongo got dismissed for a duck.
Du Preez and du Plooy put on 143 for the first wicket to follow up CBC’s opening stand of 126 in their previous encounter against Tembisa.
Dylan Bennie scored 15 and Nicholas Lockyer put on 33, with Jan Janse van Rensburg’s unbeaten 45 and Divan Posthimus’ one not-out all contributing to the visitors’ mammoth total.
Boksburg were dealt an early blow in their pursuit of the 260-run target when opening batsman Morne Badenhorst was dismissed for 0 in the game’s second duck dismissal.
Sean Holder (31) and Pierre van Blerk (2) made 33 runs for the second wicket before the latter received his marching orders from an lbw.
The home team remained on 33 for two after 6.1 overs with Holder and Ruan du Plessis behind the crease before the stoppage.
Eastern Cricket returns on January 12 next year.
