Richard White
NCU PRO

NCU Under 15's v Wynberg Boys High School
Played at Cape Town Cricket Club
25th March 2018

Uel Graham Reports

The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) squad arrived at Cape Town CC to be greeted by a covered pitch which had been affected by the overnight rain, welcome for the local residents, but not for the touring party. After some discussion, a 10.30 start for a 40 over game was agreed. The NCU won the toss and opted to make first use of the wicket.

Yesterday's half centurion, Sam Topping fell early to a good catch at the wicket, and then the other opener, Cameron Doak, was joined by Ben Beattie who was second out for 13, with the score at 24.

Doak was joined by captain Matthew Humphreys and the two batted circumspectly, mixing good defence with singles and punishing the bad ball, putting on 99 for third wicket in 18 overs before Humphreys fell for 55. Doak was then retired out for 50 shortly after.

Another quick fire 31 runs from Matthew Daly, off 21 balls, including five fours and a six, pushed the score over 150 and Adam Kennedy weighed in with 20 not out as NCU finished their allotted 40 overs on 229 for six wickets.

The Wynberg innings had the worst possible start when Michael Waite had opener Koff caught behind by Ben Beattie in the first over, and wickets continued to fall regularly throughout the innings as the drying pitch became more unpredictable. The hosts succumbed to 69 for 9, and even with a late rally were all out for 102. Wickets were shared amongst the NCU bowlers with Michael Waite, Carson McCullough and James Rose taking two apiece. 

Both teams had agreed to rotate twelve players to enable more playing time, the hosts were invited to have their twelfth man bat. This enabled their number nine, Davids to score 32 runs in an overall total of 143, before Adam Kennedy took the last wicket.

What looked like a day of waiting in frustration due to overnight rain, ended up as another worthwhile and invaluable match day as part of NCU South Africa Tour. 

Match Summary

NCU Under 15 XI v Wynberg Boys High School, at Cape Town CC, 25 March.

NCU - 229/6 (40 overs: M Humphreys 55, C Doak 50* ret., M Daly 31, A Kennedy 20; N Strongilis 2-24, D Bearne 2-26, J Dirks 2-30)
Wynberg Boys HS - 143/11 (31.4 overs: C Davids 32*; C McCullough 2-8, M Waite 2-23, J Rose 2-28)
NCU Under 15 won by 76 runs.

NCU Under 15 Photo © Brian Walsh