Author Archives: Wesley Botton

Super Kings keep SA20 title hopes alive with victory over Royals

Faf du Plessis bashed a half-century for the Joburg Super Kings in their SA20 match against the Paarl Royals. Picture: Arjun Singh/Sportzpics

Three teams remained locked in battle for the last two spots in the knockout stages. Faf du Plessis bashed a half-century for the Joburg Super Kings in their SA20 match against the Paarl Royals. Picture: Arjun Singh/Sportzpics Led from the front by captain Faf du Plessis, the Joburg Super Kings kept themselves in the hunt for the SA20 playoffs on Thursday night, charging to an impressive seven-wicket victory over the high-flying Paarl Royals at the Wanderers. Set a target of 151 runs to win, and with their trophy ambitions at stake, the Super Kings made sure with a spectacular effort from their top-order batters and their bowlers. Opening batter Du Plessis smashed his 78th career half-century – and his second of the tournament – racing to 87 runs off 55

Super Giants dig deep to beat Capitals in SA20 thriller

Spin bowler Keshav Maharaj was superb at the death, giving away just three runs in the penultimate over of the match. On the verge of a crushing defeat, Durban’s Super Giants produced a remarkable comeback on Friday night, edging the Pretoria Capitals with a two-run victory in a thrilling SA20 encounter at Kingsmead Stadium. Set a target of 210 runs to win, the Capitals looked to be up against a wall, but opening batters Rahmanullah Gurbaz and WIll Jacks took control in the first half of their team’s innings. The duo shared 154 runs for the first wicket before Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad had compatriot Gurbaz caught by Heinrich Klaasen in the 13th over, bringing an end to a destructive knock. Gurbaz smashed 89 runs off 43 balls at a strike

Markram hangs on as Pakistan fight back against Proteas

Seam bowler Dane Paterson returned career-best figures of 5/61. Dane Paterson celebrates a wicket for South Africa during day one of the first Test against Pakistan at SuperSport Park. Picture: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images Opening batter Aiden Markram managed to keep the Proteas in the hunt on Thursday after the hosts found themselves in a spot of trouble, despite some impressive bowling by their seam attack getting them off to a good start on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Centurion. While the rest of South Africa’s top order crumbled, Markram stood firm in the early stages of their first innings, guiding his team to 82/3 when stumps were drawn. They were trailing Pakistan by 129 runs with seven wickets to spare. Markram was on 47 not

Awesome opportunity: Proteas women excited for rare Test against England

Laura Wolvaardt during a Proteas training session. Picture: Danie van der Lith/Gallo Images

The national women’s team have played only 15 Tests since 1960. Laura Wolvaardt during a Proteas training session. Picture: Danie van der Lith/Gallo Images Though she admits they would like to play more Test cricket, Proteas women captain Laura Wolvaardt says her team are excited to face England in a rare four-day match in Bloemfontein starting on Sunday. The SA team will play their first home Test since 2002, and only their fourth game in the format for the last 10 years. ⚪️🟢Match Day All dressed up in white and ready for a fight😃 Our Proteas Women are ready to take on England in the once-off Test Match today at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein!🏏🇿🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 📺:Watch the landmark game LIVE on SuperSport Channel 201 & SABC Plus#AlwaysRising #WozaNawe… pic.twitter.com/gjC2WVXaUN — Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA)