Smit scores big hundred as SA wins by 305 runs

Cricket
The huge win propelled the SA A side to the top of the standings, despite their nation's first-choice team also being unbeaten.
Andrew Poolman
  • 2 Days Ago 19 November 2024
A mighty batting performance by South Africa’s A side at the United field yesterday will have sent enthusiasts scrambling for the record books of international veterans cricket.

Plundering a mammoth total of 403 for the loss of just one wicket in their 45 overs, the SA A side then restricted Namibia to 98 all out to win by a margin of 305 runs.

Wiaan Smit rounded off a brilliant first two days at the Over-50 Africa Cup tournament with a second consecutive player of the match performance.

Smit retired unbeaten on 124 runs off 100 balls against Namibia, after hitting 16 fours and three sixes. His opening partnership with the equally aggressive Charles Webber (52 off 29 balls, 3x4 5x6) yielded 89 runs in ten overs.

Isedor Titus’ breakthrough to lure Webber into giving a catch to Piers L’Estrange was Namibia’s only success during the South African innings, as the next batsmen Andrew Emslie (retired on 100 off 94 balls, 11x4) and Faldie Abderouf (84 not out off just 41 balls, 7x4 4x6) mercilessly got stuck into the hosts’ bowling attack.

Due to the two retirements and not-out partnerships that also included SA A captain Russell Bennett (9* off 9 balls), the partnership for the second wicket stood at an incredible 314 runs.

Titus (1/55 in 6 overs) was the only Namibian bowler to appear in the wickets column. Dian Coetzee (0/60 in 9) was by far the most economical, at 6.67 per over, whil severe punishment was dished out to the likes of Ken Joseph (0/75 in 7 overs), Alex Horn (0/58 in 6) and Dawie Hartzenberg (0/56 in 6).

Set a mountain of a target at 9.0 per over, Namibia struggled to get into any rhythm with the bat. Highlights were number three Piers L’Estrange contributing 24 off 32 balls and David Coetzee reaching 21 off 29 balls.

Wiaan Smit’s versatility shown through as he took 1/9 in three overs. On Sunday, he was also player of the match in the win against Zimbabwe, with 4/19 and 65 off 91 balls.

The huge win propelled the SA A side to the top of the standings, despite their nation’s first-choice team also being unbeaten.



South Africa beat Zimbabwe

At Wanderers field, South Africa’s “Proteas” kept Zimbabwe within wraps (119 all out), before achieving the win by four wickets.

Murray Goodwin’s 22 off 28 balls was the highlight of Zimbabwe’s innings, as the the right-arm medium bowling of Con Purchase ran amok (4/13 in 6.2 overs).

SA’s opening batsman Yahya Jiwa took control with an unbeaten 66 runs off 67 balls (11x4 1x6).

For Zimbabwe, Michael van Staden (2/27 in 9 overs) and Andre le Roux (2/22 in 4) fought bravely with the ball.



Upcoming fixtures

Wednesday, 20 Nov:

Zimbabwe v Namibia at Wanderers (10:00).

South Africa v South Africa A at United field (10:00).

Thursday, 21 Nov (Finals):

Cup final, 1st place vs 2nd place, at Wanderers (10:00).

Bronze final, 3rd place vs 4th place, at United field (10:00).