For a second consecutive weekend, the SWD cricket team failed to produce the knock-out blow when the Cricket South Africa Provincial Three Day match between the home team and Northern Cape ended in a draw. SWD dominated most of the match but the visitors from Kimberley literally batted for the lives to secure a draw.
Put in to bat, Northern Cape resurrected their first innings after being 117/6 and were dismissed for 213 thanks to a brilliant bowling performance by SWD’s main strike bowler – Marcello Piedt who bagged 6/35. Keegan Petersen (68) and Tristan Traugott (62) made half-centuries for Northern Cape.
SWD’s first innings saw an excellent batting display with three centuries from Kirwin Christoffels (106; 193 balls, 15×4) – who scored his maiden first-class century, Jean du Plessis (113; 200 balls, 1×6, 16×4) and Obus Pienaar who was not out at 150* (2×6, 18×4). The partnership for the second wicket between Christoffels and du Plessis was 154. SWD declared their second innings at 452/6 (112.5 overs) – a lead of 239 runs. Mbulelo Budaza (2/73) was the most successful bowler for Northern Cape.
Northern Cape eventually ended with 262/5 (105 overs) as the match ended in a draw. Traugat (51*; 146 balls, 6×4) and Giovanni Joseph (35*; 104 balls, 5×4) prevented a certain defeat as they batted for 46 over to secure a draw after SWD were in a commanding position with Northern Cape at 174/6. Piedt (3/51) and Tsepo Ndwandwa (2/77) were the pick of the SWD bowlers.
The summarized scorecard is:
Northern Cape 1st innings 213 (Keegan Petersen 68, Tristen Traugott 62, Marcello Piedt 6/35) and 2nd innings 262/6 (Luthando Mnyanda 55, Aubrey Swanepoel 50, Marcello Piedt 3/51, Tsepo Ndwandwa 2/77)
SWD 1st innings (Kirwin Christoffels 106, Jean du Plessis 113, Obus Pienaar 150*, Mbulelo Budaza 2/73)
Match drawn
Caption: The three centurions in SWD’s first innings against Northern Cape are centuries from Kirwin Christoffels (106; 193 balls, 15×4) – who scored his maiden first-class century, Obus Pienaar who was not out at 150* (2×6, 18×4) and Jean du Plessis (113; 200 balls, 1×6, 16×4)
