Botha racking up the runs at Cubs Week

Lehan Botha of the Cape Cobras is in superb batting form recording his second successive century in as many days at Cricket South Africa’s Cubs Week (u19) in the Boland.

Botha (109*) led his side to a five-wicket victory over the Warriors at the Parys cricket ground in Paarl. This after opening the week with 103 runs against Namibia. Botha faced 119 deliveries in his innings against the Warriors which included nine fours and three sixes.

He also received some valuable help from Jhedli van Briesies (58*) with whom he shared an unbeaten 114-run over the sixth wicket. Botha was also the pick of the Cobras bowlers with figures of 2/55.

The Warriors’ opening batsman Jaden Smith (122) also managed to record a century in the match. He and George van Heerden (74*) shared a 119-run partnership over the third wicket.

The Knights kept their unbeaten record intact with Reeza Alexander (139) recording the second-highest innings in the history of the Cubs Week. He dispatched 15 of the 149 deliveries he faced past the boundary rope.

Namibia could only reach 147 before all their batsmen were back in the changeroom. Gordan Taje (4/25) and Ruan Cronjé (3/24) caused most of the damage with the ball in hand.

The Lions will also enter the third day of the competition unbeaten after bagging a 114-run victory over Nigeria. Christopher de Freitas (132) and Breidyn Schaper (109) made sure with centuries that the Lions reached a massive 320/6 in their allotted 50 overs.

De Freitas and Schaper shared a 226-run partnership over the third wicket. De Freitas was in devastating form hitting 15 fours and five sixes.

Nigeria who’s using the tournament in preparation for the ICC u19 World Cup would take the fact that they were not bowled out in the match. The Lions’ opening bowler Liam McCarthy grabbed four wickets for only 34 runs.

The Titans reached 303/7 in their allotted overs against the Dolphins thanks to half-centuries by Hardus Coetzer (70), Jordan Hermann (50) and Khaya Nyamathe (50). The SA Schools rugby player Jordan Hendrikse (5/52) picked up the only five-wicket haul of the second day’s matches.

Summarised Scorecards:

Warriors 242/4 (Jaden Smith 122, George van Heerden 74*; Lehan Botha 2/55); Cape Cobras 243/5 (Lehan Botha 109*, Jhedli van Briesies 58*; Matthew Fourie 2/27, Nonelela Yikha 2/28). Cape Cobras won by five wickets.

Knights 274/7 (Reeza Alexander 139, Orapeleng Mtlhoaring 37, Juan-Dee Olivier 26, Extras 21; Dirkie Theunissen 4/55); Namibia 142 (JC Balt 35, Matthew de Gouveia 34, Extras 24; Gordon Taje 4/25, Ruan Cronjé 3/24). Knights won by 132 runs.

Titans 303/7 (Hardus Coetzer 70, Jordan Hermann 50, Khaya Nyamathe 50, Hanu Viljoen 43, Wisani Mushwana 39; Jordan Hendrikse 5/52); Dolphins 186 (Jared Oosthuizen 62, Seth Rajakumar 33; Akhulile Makatu 3/34, Daniel van der Merwe 2/26, Zeeshan Ismail 2/28). Titans won by 117 runs.

Lions 320/6 (Christopher de Freitas 132, Breidyn Schaper 109; Sylvester Okpe 2/43); Nigeria 206/8 (Taiwo Mohamed 54*, Sulaimon Runsewe 38, Sylvester Okpe 34, Extras 31; Liam McCarthy 4/34). Lions won by 114 runs.

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