Boksburg retain winning streak with narrow win
The away side overhauled Avion’s 178-run total in 48.3 overs to claim a nail-biting single wicket win.
A high-flying Boksburg side squeezed past Avion in an away Premier League II encounter, in Kempton Park, to retain their winning streak on March 18.
It was a unique test for Boksburg, who’ve been blowing out everyone put in their path in recent weeks but they did what good sides did and found a way through the high-pressure temperament.
Boksburg captain Adam Forbes, coming into this one after scoring 300-plus runs in their most recent three games, was dismissed for 32 which proved to be a big moment in the encounter and, thus, the final outcome.
The home side was dealt an early blow after being sent to bat first with opener Marlo Blokland being sent out for a duck.
Captain Wilhelm Bester and company did not really get going thereafter with their innings lacking one big run scorer and/or at least one big score partnership.
Blokland’s opening partner Frank Taljaard was his side’s top run-getter with 31, followed by Anuj Tyagi, but all the little contributions from the Avion batting order piled up to what turned into a challenging target for the in-form visitors – who led the Premier League II standings coming into the fixture.
Boksburg’s Jordan Hollard enjoyed an outstanding bowling outing, taking home 4/25 including a maiden in his allotted bowling overs.
The narrative with Bokburg’s batting was similar to that of their hosts as they also struggled for momentum.
Avion were all dismissed after 49 overs and Boksburg won after 48.3 overs.
A safe Boksburg start in their batting innings was followed by nervous showing within their middle order with all of Breidyn Schaper, Ahkter Rasul, Kane Horwell and Shawn Schaper combining for a meagre 44.
It set-up a nerve-wracking finish but bottom order pair Nathan Kruger (unbeaten 25) and Matthew Hollard (unbeaten 14) held their nerve and got the job done.
Quizzed on whether the tight games are more meaningful to win than blowouts, winning side skipper Forbes responded: “Oh without a doubt. It’s always the nail-biting ones that make cricket worth playing,” he explained, after heaping praise on his side’s tail enders.
On being dismissed for 32 after such a rich vein of form, the skipper added: “Obviously it was a bit upsetting not making it four (centuries) in a row, but the team won on the day and that’s all that matters.” – @SabeloBoksburg
