SA U19s complete Namibia whitewash

Jason Rowles struck a run-a-ball 94 to guide South Africa Under-19 Men to a 3-0 clean sweep of Cricket Namibia after winning the final one-day match by 99 runs in Windhoek on Friday.

The junior Proteas captain, who was the match-winner with the ball in game one with five wickets for eight runs, was again the central figure, this time with the bat, as the visitors posted 253 for eight after winning the toss and opting to bat.

The clash was reduced to 45 overs per side at the start on account of wet patches on the pitch, with the hosts then replying with 154 all out with a handful of overs remaining – Dayalan Boyce (4-24) and JJ Basson (3-29) sharing seven wickets.

In the end it was a comfortable victory for the South Africans as they celebrated a whitewash at the High Performance Oval.

They did not have as smooth a start compared to the other two games with Adnaan Lagadien (13) and Jorich van Schalkwyk (38) falling with only 69 on the board, before Rowles settled in.

The skipper added 57 for the third wicket with Bandile Mbatha (20) and then 76 alongside Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (18) for the fourth wicket as the away side reclaimed control.

Although they lost regular wickets in the last seven overs, they still managed a strong target of 254.

Jack Brassell ended as the best of Namibia’s bowlers with 3-48.

Basson set the hosts back early in their innings with a double blow to clean up Michael Muller (1) and Tiaan van der Merwe (0), leaving them on 20 for two.

And they fell into further strife at 28-3 in the seventh over when Bayanda Majola (1-23) accounted for Zacheo Jansen van Vuuren (22).

Captain Alexander Volschenk (29) and Liam Basson, who recorded a fighting 51 off 70 balls (8 fours), did the bulk of the scoring from there, but the South African bowlers proved too good for the lower order and tail.

Apart from Boyce’s four-for, Enathi Khitshini also collected two wickets to ensure that Namibia were bowled out with 3.1 overs to spare.

SA U19 MEN’S SQUAD AGAINST CRICKET NAMIBIA

Muhammad Bulbulia (captain, North West), Jason Rowles (captain, Lions), Waco Bassick (Western Province), JJ Basson (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Dayalan Boyce (Dolphins), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Kamogelo Phiri (Lions), Ntando Soni (Dolphins), and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).

MANAGEMENT

Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Blanche Conradie (Manager), Imraan Khan (Batting Coach), Paul Adams (Bowling Coach), Thabang Kumalo (Fielding Coach), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Sheenagh Jordaan (Physiotherapist), Kyle Southgate (Team Analyst), and Eugene Oppelt (Performance Psychologist).

RESULTS

Monday, 28 April

Cricket Namibia lost to South Africa U19 by 10 wickets – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

Wednesday, 30 April

Cricket Namibia lost to South Africa U19 by 131 runs – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek

Friday, 2 May

Cricket Namibia lost to South Africa U19 by 99 runs – High Performance Oval, Windhoek