Richard White
NCU PRO

Andrew White NCU Academy and NCU Under 15's take on Gary Kirsten Foundation 29th March 2018

Both the NCU Under 15's and Andrew White NCU Academy matches today were scheduled to be played against XI's representing the Gary Kirsten Foundation, in the townships of Langa and Khayelitsha.

The current drought in the Western Cape has however laid waste those grounds dependent on public water supply and made pitch preparation in the townships impossible.

A switch to Western Province Cricket Club for both games was arranged by our South African host and the games proceeded on lush green outfields, watered from the club's two private bore-holes.

The Andrew White NCU Academy side were asked to field and in the opening overs there was little to suggest we would see anything out of the ordinary.

What followed however was a spell of bowling from CSNI's Aaron Wright whose 7.2 overs of off-spin returned the remarkable figures of eight wickets for only nine runs!

The Foundation XI were hustled out for 79 and the Academy side wasted no time in chasing that down for the loss of only two wickets, Jamie Magowan 28 not out when the winning total was reached.

Match Summary
Gary Kirsten Foundation (Langa) v Andrew White NCU Academy, at Western Province CC, 29th March
GKF - 79 (28.2 overs: S Ntulwane 22; A Wright 8-9)
Andrew White NCU Academy - 80/2 (13.1 overs: J Magowan 28*)
Andrew White NCU Academy won by 8 wickets.

To take advantage of the wonderful facilities on offer a T20 game was played in the afternoon in which the NCU recorded a 106 run win.

Their total of 154 for 6 wickets was made up of contributions from Max Burton (38), Jack Burton (30) and Archie Johnston (28) while with the ball - Matthew Foster 2 wickets for 3 runs, Alex Haggan (2 for 6) and Aaron Wright (2 for 10) ensured a second win of the day for the Andrew White NCU Academy side.

NCU Under 15's Suffer First Loss in South Africa

Meanwhile the NCU Under 15 squad suffered their first defeat on the tour when they went down to a three wicket defeat at the hands of a side from the Khayelitsha township representing the Gary Kirsten Foundation.

Batting first in the usual format of a 12-a-side game the NCU were all out 150 failing to bat the allotted 40 overs against a pacy attack. Michael Waite continued his fine batting form with an unbeaten 43 runs, while Carson McCullough made 25.

In reply the Foundation team batted steadily and Nkonzombi added 34 to his two wickets to challenge for title of Man of the Match. He was ably supported by Mfunelwa (32) and Masumpa (30 not out) who paced his batting and shielded the lower order to see his side home with overs to spare and three wickets in hand.

Skipper Michael Humphreys was the leading wicket-taker for the tourists with 4 for 27, while Rory Ellerby chipped in with a more than useful 3 for 15.

Match Summary
Gary Kirsten Foundation (Khyalitsha) v NCU Junior Development Squad at Western Province CC, 29th March
NCU - 150 all out (37.1 overs: M Waite 43*, C McCullough 25; A Mafanga 3-18, S Nkonzombi 2-23, J Qubuda 2-31)
GKF - 151/8 (31.2 overs: S Nkonzombi 34, B Mfunelwa 32, B Masumpa 30*; M Humphreys 4-27, R Ellerby 3-15)
Gary Kirsten Foundation won by 3 wickets.

Tour Photos © Ian Johnston / CricketEurope