Old Boys get season underway with routine win
Dylan Bennie’s unbeaten 58 and Nicholas Lockyer’s smashing innings guided CBC Old Boys’ Premier XI to a routine win over Tembisa in their Eastern Cricket Premier League opener at CBC on Sunday, October 4.
The Premier League contenders, sent to bat first, got off to a slow start before gaining the batting touch they’re known for.
Wesley Coulentianos’ opening batting partner Akshay Maharaj and Wickus Germishuizen were dismissed early on for 29 and four respectively before the game-changing introduction of Nicholas Lockyer.
Coulentianos, who lasted until Lockyer’s in-coming, eventually fell for 21 before the latter produced his game-influencing innings of 65 runs to set the platform for CBC’s eventual total of 264 in their allotted 50 overs.
The team’s new captain, Shaun Liebisch, former skipper Willie Berhardt and Jean Rossouw all chipped in with 13, 29 and 16 respectively, but it was Bennie who heightened Tembisa’s mountain to climb with his unbeaten 58 to put his side in the driving seat.
Tembisa’s Vincent Topotsa took a brace of wickets, with all of Thando Bula, Israel Hlengani, Siphamandla Dapo, Vincent Harold and Enock Makamo claiming single wickets apiece.
The visitors were immediately put under pressure in their quest to chase down CBC’s daunting total as their openers Bula (5) and Michael Weldon (7) were sent for an early rest.
Hlengani, who was his side’s highest scorer on the day with his impressive 44, brought Tembisa back into contention but his dismissal triggered an underwhelming performance from Tembisa behind the bat.
CBC skipper Liebisch claimed a brace of wickets with Rossouw and Craig Parker leading the bowling stakes with respective hat-tricks of wickets.
Tembisa’s challenge ultimately fell well short as they were all bowled out for 134 with 28.1 overs on the board. – @SabeloBoksburg
