Hermann showcase his class during opening day of Khaya Majola Week

Ronan Hermann, opening batsman of Gauteng, showcased his class during the opening day of the Khaya Majola Week in Potchefstroom by carrying his bat while getting his week off in the best possible way with a century.

Hermann (152*) helped his side reach 296/4 in their allotted 50 overs against Boland which was by far the highest total during the opening day of the 2021-edition of the tournament. He was dropped at the boundary on 95 and made Boland pay even further after that.

His performance was even more impressive if you factor in that Boland won the toss in overcast conditions and decided to send Gauteng in to bat first.

He was supported well by Richard Seletswane (56) and Khaya Fakude (49). Boland only managed 122 runs in return with their captain, Gysbert Wege (34) leading the charge. The pick of Gauteng’s bowling attack was Sava Komal who dismissed four batsmen for only 23 runs.

On the JB Marks Oval, the hosts North West came out on top in a closely contested encounter against Eastern Province. The latter batted first and reached 248/8 thanks to half-centuries from Cormey van der Watt (56) and Casey Keevy.

Corné Prinsloo caused the most damage with the ball for North West as he picked up three wickets at the cost of 29 runs. He is the son of North West Dragons’ CEO, HP Prinsloo.

North West reached the winning target with 16 deliveries to spare and four wickets in hand. Hanro Swanepoel (31*) and Rico Fryer (30*) saw their team home after Waldo Kemp (80), Bathabile Masigo (44), and Prinsloo (35) laid a solid platform.

The best bowling performance of the opening day belonged to Titans’ spin bowler Schalk Engelbrecht who removed four batsmen for only 19 runs as his side restricted KwaZulu-Natal to a mere 109 runs.

The Titans however had to work hard for their three-wicket victory with Modise Maloka (34) top scoring. The side definitely missed the presence of Hardus Coetzer in their batting line-up. Coetzer was called up to the South Africa u19 squad for the World Cup in the West Indies early next year.

An 81-run unbeaten partnership between Bongile Mfunelwa (45*) and captain, Michael Levitt (36*), saw Western Province home by five wickets against Free State. Their side was in trouble after stumbling to 30/5 chasing a mere 110 runs for victory.

The Invitation XI managed to secure a victory after being bowled out for 147 runs against South Western Districts. Thurstin Murphy (4/22) caused them trouble with his bowling.

South Western Districts could only score 83 runs in return with JP King (3/6) and Reo Rammutla (2/6) being the pick of the bowlers.

The fixtures for Sunday, 19 December are:

North West vs Gauteng (NWU Main Oval); Boland vs Eastern Province (Potchefstroom Boys’ High A-field); KwaZulu-Natal vs Western Province (JB Marks Oval); Free State vs Titans (NWU Soccer/Cricket); Easterns vs KZN Inland (NWU Jool I); Border vs Mpumalanga (NWU Jool II); Invitation XI vs Northern Cape (Witrand Oval); Limpopo vs South Western Districts (NWU Ibbies Oval).

Summarised Scorecards (Limited Overs):

Gauteng 296/4 (Ronan Hermann 152*, Richard Seletswane 56, Khaya Fakude 49, Extras 24); Boland 122 (Gysbert Wege 34; Savar Komal 4/23, Christopher King 2/20). Gauteng won by 174 runs.

Eastern Province 248/8 (Cormey van der Watt 56, Casey Keevy 50, Extras 36, Ashley Ostling 21, Siphamandla Bashe 21, Ian Baard 20*; Corné Prinsloo 2/29); North West 252/6 (Waldo Kemp 80, Bathabile Masigo 44, Corné Prinsloo 35, Hanro Swanepoel 31*, Rico Fryer 30*; Olwakhe Goqoza 3/40). North West won by four wickets.

Free State 109 (Marco Fouché 39, Extras 23, Steven Nel 20; Liyema Waqu 3/33, Abdullah Bayoumy 2/25, Jesse Prodehl 2/26); Western Province 111/5 (Bongile Mfunelwa 45*, Michael Levitt 36*; Scelo Matayi 3/16, Matthew Davids 2/22). Western Province won by five wickets.

KwaZulu-Natal 109 (Nathan Trevethan 32; Schalk Engelbrecht 4/19, Christiaan Daniels 3/17); Titans 109/7 (Modise Maloka 34; Bongamusa Shezi 3/19, Natan Ngugi 2/28). Titans won by seven wickets.

Easterns 201 (Damien Smith 87, Christiaan Conradie 26, Amaan Khan 24, Sinethemba Ngeyane 22, Nhlanhla Mashego 21; Uzair Vayani 4/20, Siyabonga Sithole 4/40, Akhulile Mkatu 2/32); Mpumalanga 103 (Steffan Leemans 23, Hannes Feuth 20; Damien Smith 3/22, Mahlatsi Theko 3/29). Easterns won by 98 runs.

Border 141 (Ryan Muir 44, Bradley de Kock 28; Alexander Vermeulen 3/18, Thabiso Ndlela 2/26, Oyama Ntshona 2/35); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 143/5 (Ntando Zuma 39*, Slade van Staden 32, Extras 25; Tiaan Jacobs 2/22). KZN Inland won by five wickets.

Limpopo 191/9 (Nick Adendorff 32, Edward Clements 29, Sheldon Ngobeni 27, Dian van Staden 26*; Jody Barend 3/24, Adiano Korkie 2/24); Northern Cape 132 (Ontlametse Kesiamang 56*, Extras 28; Dian van Staden 2/22, Khaif Patel 2/22, Thabiso Mohlasedi 2/23, Nick Adendorff 2/26, Mikateko Rikhotso 2/27). Limpopo won by 59 runs.

Invitation XI 147 (Wian Herbst 46, Samuel Bobraine 30; Thurstin Murphy 4/22); South Western Districs 83 (Extras 25, Keenan Arries 22; JP King 3/6, Reo Rammutla 2/6). Invitation XI won by 64 runs.

[powr-comments id=”54ee59be_1639844391759″]