Proteas beat Kids to stay alive in KFC series
Spectators at Summerfields Primary School, in Impala Park, watched the Proteas beat the KFC Mini-Cricket Kids by 46 runs on Wednesday, January 20, to leave the four-match Cricket Kids vs Proteas Tour Series at 2-1, with one match to go.
The Proteas, consisting of captain Vernon Philander, Farhaan Behardien, Eddie Leie, David Wiese, Shabnim Ismail, Trish Chetty, Lizelle Lee and Sune Luus won the toss and decided to bat first.
In the diminishing light, batting was never easy for the Proteas, but they managed to score 71 runs in their allotted eight overs, thanks to a brilliant 27-run partnership between Philander and Lee.
The only wicket the KFC Mini-Cricket kids took was when Jessica Thomas got Leie’s wicket with the first ball of the match.
The clouds started to thicken as soon as the Kids’ batters walked onto the field for their innings.
Thomas and captain Cody Mac Vay tried to get the Kids off to a good start, but managed to score only two runs between them.
Finding themselves under early pressure from the determined Proteas, Bohlale Mothobi and Matthew Nicholas tried to get the Kids back on track with a brilliant 19-run partnership before the heavens opened, resulting in the game being halted.
The Kids consequently lost the game and the victory was handed to the Proteas.
Asked for his thoughts on the match in a post-game interview, Proteas skipper Philander said: “We had to win this one; it was a good game, the Kids gave us a good run and we’re very relieved, the rain actually saved us – looking forward to the decider in Cape Town.”
The Man of the Match was handed to the Kids’ Nicholas, thanks to the 12 runs he hit in an attempt to chase down the Proteas score.
The series decider will be played in Cape Town next month.
Meanwhile, KFC Mini-Cricket Kids assistant coach and Proteas former batsman Neil McKenzie lauded the tour.
“Thank you to KFC for this great initiative. It’s a great opportunity presented by KFC which keeps kids active and teaches them about the game.
“It’s also a great opportunity for the kids to meet their heroes: meeting them is one thing, but having the chance to play against them is a fantastic opportunity. It’s something their peers only dream of.”
The Proteas vs Kids Tour is in its third year, with the teams having won the series once each. – @SabeloBoksburg
