Barends bowls Saints into the final of the Switch Schools SA20

The title of champions of the Switch Schools SA20 Final Showdown Volume 2 will belong to either St Andrew’s School of Bloemfontein or Jeppe High School for Boys from Johannesburg.

These two sides will face each other in the final of the tournament On Saturday at the Tuks Oval in Pretoria.

Saints enter the final as the only undefeated side after their convincing semi-final victory of 98 runs according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

The team from Bloemfontein blasted the highest score so far of this year’s Final Showdown scoring 171/5 in their allotted 20 overs with FG Botha (66) and Johnathan Hickley (52*) sharing a 95-run partnership for the third wicket.

Botha was in a devastating mood as he scored his runs from only 38 delveries which included four fours and six sixes. Schalk van Rensburg also added a valuable 29 runs in a 50-run partnership with Hickley for the fourth wicket.

When rain interrupted play Selborne College was struggling at 47/8 after nine overs after Erhard Barends (6/21) took their batting line-up apart.

In the other semi-final in the Boys’ Section Jeppe also eased past Cricket South Africa’s Hub Invitational side with six wickets. The Hub-side was bowled out for 66 with South African Schools’ captain, Enathi Kitshini (23), and Moeketzi Beya (21) making the biggest contributions with the bat.

The 11th over by Reza Ayob (3/21) was eventful as he removed Nkosibonile Sibisi (3) and Kamogelo Matlala (0) with successful legal deliveries. There were however a wide between the two dismissals. He picked up his third wicket two deliveries later when Ducayne Plaaitjies (0) facing his first delivery was caught by Shreshth Kumar.

Opening batter Vegas Scott (31*) led his side charge with the batting getting them over the line with six overs to spare.

Saints Christian School from Potchefstroom will face Queens High in the final of the Girls’ Section tomorrow. Saints lost against Steyn City in last year’s final thanks to a magnificent century by Karabo Meso (117*).

Both sides had to wait for the final scheduled pool match between HTS Drostdy and Nomandi to know their fate. The match could however not take place due to the rain throughout the week.

They faced each other in the opening match of the Final Showdown with Queens coming out on top by one wicket.

HTS Drostdy was especially unlucky as all three their games in the pool stages were called off before a ball was bowled. They did however get a chance in in the playoff match third and fourth place.

Nkowankowa from Tzaneen defeated them be seven wickets thanks to a brilliant allround performance by Respect Mabasa. She first picked up three wickets at the cost of a solitary run in two overs, before also contributing 21 runs with the bat.

Tshepiso Motswi (4/22) was however the pick of Nkowankowa’s bowling attack. They also received some excellent assistance from Ivy Manyiki (2/14).

The team from Worcester started off well with Danel Boshof (30) and Mia-lize van der Vyver (18) sharing an opening partnership of 51 runs before Van der Vyver lost her wicket in the 12th over.

In the other play-off match positions five and six Chatsworth managed to defeat Nomandi by a single run after the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method was applied.

Shreya Subbiah who picked up four wickets at the cost of a mere 13 runs being the star for Chatsworth.

Summarised Scorecards

SEMI-FINALS

CSA Invitational XI 66 (Enathi Kitshini 23, Moeketsi Beya 21; Reza Ayob 3/21, Shreshth Kumar 3/18); Jeppe High School for Boys 72/4 (Vegas Scott 31*; Taywin Adams 2/6). Jeppe High School for Boys won by six wickets.

St Andrew’s School 171/5 (FG Botha 66, Johnathan Hickley 52*, Schalk van Rensburg 29; Avetandwa Manyongo 3/26); Selborne College 47/8 (Erhard Barends 6/21). St Andrew’s School won by 98 runs (DLS-method).

GIRLS SECTION PLAY-OFFS

HTS Drostdy 84/9 (Danel Boshof 30, Lize de Waal 21, Mia-lize van der Vyver 18; Tshepiso Motswi 4/22, Respect Mabasa 3/1, Ivy Manyiki 2/14); Nkowankowa 85/3 (Tshepiso Motswi 34, Respect Mabasa 21, Extras 18; Mia-lize van der Vyver 2/25). Nkowankowa won by seven wickets.

Nomandi 63 (Extras 17; Shreya Subbiah 4/13, Sihana Naidu 2/13); Chatsworth 35/4 (Hailey-Ann Hampson 13; Yamkela Mnqabashe 3/11). Chatsworth won by one run (DLS-method).