Pretorius trip defending champions, Conquerors, with a century at Cubs Week

The defending champions of Cricket South Africa’s Cubs Week, the Coastal Conquerors, found themselves on the receiving end of Lhuandré Pretorius’ bat on the opening day of this year’s edition on Stellenbosch.

Pretorius (126*), opening batsman of the Central Gladiators, led his side’s charge with an unbeaten century. He got the Gladiators past the target with a thundering four with five wickets still in hand.

He faced 156 deliveries in his innings of which he dispatched 14 for boundaries along the ground. Pretorius received some excellent support from Reuben du Toit (52) and Richard Seletswane (34). Du Toit played a vital role as he faced only 40 deliveries for his half-century.

The Conquerors struggled to get their innings going until Jake Carstens (59*) and Ross Boast (52) joined forces for a partnership of 99 runs over the eighth wicket.

The hosts, the Southern Superstars’, chances to bag this year’s title also received a knock thanks to a 70-run defeat against the Northern Champions.

The Champions probably boasts one of the most dangerous bowling attacks in action during the Cubs Week with Hernus Marais, Tristan Luus, and Leo Sadler leading the attack.

Sadler finished the day with the best bowling figures as he removed four batsmen for a mere 27 runs. Marais (3/31) also made sure the Superstars’ batsmen were never at ease.

Sadler also added a valuable contribution of 32 runs with the bat. Shelton Ngobeni (81) and Dewan Marais (56) helped the Champions to reach 273 with their half-centuries.

The Western Legends also kicked off their week in Stellenbosch with a victory. They defeated the Eastern Warriors by 13 runs.

The Warriors’ Daniel Ristow (88*) ran out of batting partners and if someone could stay in the middle with him – he probably could’ve gotten his side past the target.

Legends’ left-handed opening batsman, Ludwich Schuld (57), started out his week with a half-century as he has done last year during the Khaya Majola Week.

Summarised Scorecards:

Coastal Conquerors 255/9 (Jake Carstens 59*, Ross Boast 52, Aryan Gopalan 37, Ntando Zuma 29, Jason Muirhead 24; David Teeger 3/33, Kyle Glennistor 2/47, Christopher King 2/58); Central Gladiators 258/5 (Lhuandré Pretorius 126*, Reuben du Toit 52, Richard Seletswane 34; Thabiso Ndlela 4/64). Central Gladiators won by five wickets.

Northern Champions 273 (Shelton Ngobeni 81, Dewan Marais 56, Leo Sadler 32, Christiaan du Toit 26; Raees Salie 3/40, Riley Norton 2/39, Liyema Waqu 2/48); Southern Superstars 203 (Abdullah Bayoumy 44, Raees Salie 40, Gysbert Wege 31, Extras 26; Leo Sadler 4/27, Hernus Marais 3/31). Northern Champions won by 70 runs.

Western Legends 273/8 (Ludwich Schuld 57, Naziel Adams 43, GJ Maree 34, Sello Sissing 33, Corné Prinsloo 33, Extras 29; Tyler Stagg 3/59, Jean Upman 2/29, Daniel Ristow 2/47); Eastern Warriors 260 (Daniel Ristow 88*, Russel Petersen 45, Extras 34, Ben van der Merwe 24, Jean Upman 22; Dakalo Leketa 3/56, Sicelo Matayi 2/37). Western Legends won by 13 runs.