Van Schalkwyk makes history in Zimbabwe

Jorich van Schalkwyk.

Jorich van Schalkwyk became the first batter in Youth One-Day International (YODI) history to score a double century as South Africa Under-19 (SA U19) Men began their tri-series with a thumping 278-run win over hosts Zimbabwe in Harare on Friday.

The right-hander, who set the national record for the highest individual score in Benoni on Tuesday when he scored an unbeaten 164 against Bangladesh, went one better to smash the international record of 191 held by Sri Lanka’s Hasitha Boyagoda against Kenya in 2018.

The 18-year-old scored an incredible 215 off 153 balls (19x4, 6x6) to help his side amass 385, another record beating their previous highest-score total of 359/6 against Namibia in Brisbane back in 2012.

Enathi Khitshini then claimed four wickets and Bayanda Majola took three as the hosts were blown away for 107. The margin of victory was also a record, beating the 209-run triumph from that same game in Australia.

It was a fine performance by the South Africans and gave them a major confidence-boosting start to the series at Sunrise Sports Club, which also involves Bangladesh.

They won the toss and batted first with Van Schalkwyk at the heart of everything for almost the entire innings – he was only out in the 47th over.

He shared in a 178-run third-wicket partnership with co-captain Jason Rowles (76 off 79 balls, 6x4) and then put on 105 with Paul James (41) for the next wicket.

Even though the junior side got close to 400, there was one stand out performer with the ball - Tatenda Chimugoro returned figures of 6/62 to leave the tourists all out with one ball to spare.

But the Zimbabwean innings lasted only 24.3 overs. During that time, Nathaniel Hlabangana (31) and Kupakwashe Muradzi (40) scored nearly half the runs with a 53-run opening partnership.

However, once that was snapped by Ntando Soni (1/29) it was one-way traffic for the hosts. No other batter got to double figures as extras (11) was third-best scorer and Zimbabwe faded badly.

Khitshini, Majola and Dayalan Boyce (2/18) were all outstanding, sealing a big win and strong start to the series.

SA U19 Men’s Squad

Muhammad Bulbulia (captain, KZN Inland), Jason Rowles (captain, Lions), JJ Basson (Lions), Corne Botha (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Armaan Manack (Lions), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Kamogelo Phiri (Lions), Vihan Pretorius (Titans), Ntando Soni (Warriors) and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).

Management

Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Blanche Conradie (Manager), Imraan Khan (Batting Coach), Paul Adams (Bowling Coach), Thabang Kumalo (Fielding Coach), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Sheenagh Jordaan (Physiotherapist), Kyle Southgate (Team Analyst), Eugene Oppelt (Performance Psychologist) and Lita Gqirana (Media Manager).

Fixtures

Friday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v South Africa U19 – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare (SA won by 278 runs)

Saturday - 9.15am

South Africa U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare

Monday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Tuesday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Thursday - 9.15am

Bangladesh U19 v South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Friday - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Monday, 4 August - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Wednesday, 6 August - 9.15am

South Africa U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Friday, 8 August - 9.15am

Zimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Sunday, 10 August - 9.15am

Number 1 v Number 2 – Harare Sports Club, Harare