New cricket season: Boksburg, CBC make winning starts
A new-look Boksburg Cricket Club side and a refreshed CBC scored emphatic wins as the new Eastern Cricket Premier League season got underway, on Sunday, October 2.
Boksburg, who’ve made wholesale changes during the off-season, delivered their first ball of the new campaign against Springs Old Boys, after new captain John Haywood won the toss and opted to bowl at their iconic Prince George Park home base.
Following a shaky start with the bat, the visitors stabilised their innings before eventually all falling for a decent 162, after 44 overs. Middle order batsman Collin Dollar top-scored for his side with 42, to help them finish with a challenging target for Boksburg.
Haywood, who shared the opening duties with the impressive Adam Forbes on the day, was denied the opportunity to impress in his new role as he was dismissed for an embarrassing 10 runs in Boksburg’s early quest to win the game. Forbes’s 43, which was the day’s overall top score, set the early tone for the home side, and the rest of the batting order obliged.
Tyrone Cameron and Michael Weldon built on the good start and chipped in with 20 runs apiece before Max Meyer’s unbeaten 34 and Chris Opperman’s undefeated 17 handed the home side a big, confidence-boosting bonus-point victory.
Meanwhile, Old Boys proved too strong for outclassed Kwa-Thema.
The local side, who are again expected to challenge for the title in this campaign, won the toss and sent the visitors in to bat. It was a decision which worked well in their favour as a hapless Kwa-Thema were stopped for an overall 107 after 31 overs – leaving the bevy of Old Boys’ top batsmen licking their lips.
A stuttering start in the home side’s batting innings gave the visitors early hope, as openers Dylan Bennie and Wesley Coulentianos fell for zilch and four respectively.
However, those raised hopes would soon be extinguished by Casey Arnold and new skipper Nicholas Lockyer, as they made quick work of the visitors with their respective undefeated 41 and 45, for a bonus point win in just 16 overs.
Haywood took over the Boksburg captaincy from Len Meyer, who’s decided to retire, while Lockyer replaces Shaun Liebisch, who is no longer involved with the club.
Both clubs’ off-season transfer activity will be released in the upcoming week. – @SabeloBoksburg
Boksburg Cricket Club regains Premier League status
