Cricket | Uphill Battle For Garden Route Badgers
The Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers had an uphill battle for their first two fixtures in the Cricket South Africa Division 2 Twenty/20 challenge.
After their first match against the Mpumalanga Rhino’s – scheduled to be played at White River on 21 September, was abandoned due to rain they suffered back-to-back defeats in their next two matches.
In the match against Easterns at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on 24 September the Badgers had a sound start and posted an opening partnership of 70 between the captain Yaseen Vallie (58 from 43 balls; 2x6, 5x4)) and Keenan Vieira (50 from 38 balls; 1x6, 7x4) but the visitors lost momentum in their middle order and ended on 164/4 despite a blistering 39 (24 balls; 2x6, 4x4) by Heath Richards.
Thanks to a match winning opening stand of 133 runs between Kabelo Sekhukhune (84 from 55 balls; 4x6, 9x4) and Christopher Brits (35 from 25 balls; 3x4) the Eastern Storm reached the target (167/7) after 18.3 overs for a 3 wicket victory. Thomas Kaber bagged 3/26.
In their home fixture against the defending champions – Limpopo Impala at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn on Saturday the Badgers again had fifty runs opening partnership – 72 runs - between Vieira (58 from 40 balls; 1x6, 9x4) and Kyle Jacobs (33 from 31 balls; 1x6, 9x4). The middle order again struggles to convert a good start into a winning target and the home side was restricted to a mediocre 146/8. Eldred Hawken (3/18 in 4 overs) Don Radebe (3/17 in 4 overs) both bowled magnificent spells for the Impalas. Limpopo Impala cruised to a comfortable bonus point victory when they reached the winning target (150/4 after 15.5 overs). Morné Venter (64), Liam Peters (20) and Louren Steenkamp (36*) all made impressive contributions whilst Kaber 2/34 was the Badgers most successful bowler.
The Badgers are confronted with various injuries, but they need to record victories in their next two matches to remain in contention for a place in the semi-finals. On Wednesday, 2nd of October, they will host the undefeated Tuskers at the Recreation Ground and on Saturday (5th of October) they will take on the Eastern Cape Iianyathi in East London.
Cricket, Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers, Cricket South Africa Division 2, Twenty/20 challenge