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Convincing Victory for NCU Under 15’s over Wynberg High
NCU Under 15’s v Wynberg Boys High School
Played at Cape Town Cricket Club
25th March 2018
Uel Graham Reports
The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) squad arrived at Cape Town CC to be greeted by a covered pitch which had been affected by the overnight rain, welcome for the local residents, but not for the touring party. After some discussion, a 10.30 start for a 40 over game was agreed. The NCU won the toss and opted to make first use of the wicket.
Yesterday’s half centurion, Sam Topping fell early to a good catch at the wicket, and then the other opener, Cameron Doak, was joined by Ben
Doak was joined by captain Matthew Humphreys and the two batted circumspectly, mixing good defence with singles and punishing the bad ball, putting on 99 for third wicket in 18 overs before Humphreys fell for 55. Doak was then retired out for 50 shortly after.
Another quick fire 31 runs from Matthew Daly, off 21 balls, including five fours and a six, pushed the score over 150 and Adam Kennedy weighed in with 20 not out as NCU finished their allotted 40 overs on 229 for six wickets.
The Wynberg innings had the worst possible start when Michael Waite had opener Koff caught behind by Ben Beattie in the first over, and wickets continued to fall regularly throughout the innings as the drying pitch became more unpredictable. The hosts succumbed to 69 for 9, and even with a late rally were all out for 102. Wickets were shared amongst the NCU bowlers with Michael Waite, Carson McCullough and James Rose taking two apiece.
Both teams had agreed to rotate twelve players to enable more playing time, the hosts were invited to have their twelfth man bat. This enabled their number nine, Davids to score 32 runs in an overall total of 143, before Adam Kennedy tool the last wicket.
What looked like a day of waiting in frustration due to overnight rain, ended up as another worthwhile and invaluable match day as part of NCU South Africa Tour.
Match Summary
NCU Under 15 XI v Wynberg Boys High School, at Cape Town CC, 25 March.
NCU - 229/6 (40 overs: M Humphreys 55, C Doak 50* ret., M Daly 31, A Kennedy 20; N Strongilis 2-24, D Bearne 2-26, J Dirks 2-30)
Wynberg Boys HS - 143/11 (31.4 overs: C Davids 32*; C McCullough 2-8, M Waite 2-23, J Rose 2-28)
NCU Under 15 won by 76 runs.
Northern Cricket Union 2018 South Africa Tou
One Wicket Victory in Tour Opener for NCU Under 15’s
NCU Under 15’s v Newlands Boys High School
Played at Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC)
24th March 2018
Alan Waite Reports
The first game of the NCU Under 15’s trip to South Africa started in relatively cool overcast conditions at WPCC on Saturday morning. Mathew Humphreys lost the toss and Newlands Boys High school decided to bat first. The Wallace High combination of Michael Waite and Cameron Doak got the NCU off to the best possible start, Doak taking two wickets in his first over and Waite one in his second to leave the hosts struggling at 9/3.
However some strong middle order batting aided by over thirty wides made it look as if a total of well over 250 was possible, but wickets for Shane Burke, Matthew Humphreys and Rory Ellery helped keep the NCU in the game.
The brakes were then really applied by Michael Waite and Adam Kennedy who bowled the last ten overs of the innings and restricted Newlands to just twenty-eight runs. They bowled full and straight and restricted the batsmen to only two boundaries. Waite finished with 4-30 and Kennedy 1-18
The NCU innings was opened by Shane Burke and Sam Topping who put on 32 for the first wicket before Burke was caught behind. Topping was joined by skipper Humphreys and together they batted excellently in a partnership of eighty-four. Humphreys was caught and bowled for 36 and the thirteen year old Topping was eventually retired for 56.
A couple of wickets fell cheaply and with the run rate mounting, it needed someone to increase the momentum. Mathew Daly arrived at the crease and smashed thirty from only fifteen balls to bring the NCU right back into the game. However when he was bowled, and quickly followed by a further three wickets, at 198/9 the game looked lost.
But the Instonians pair of James Lambert and Rory Ellerby kept their heads and aided by a straight six and four from Lambert they won the game with a scrambled single off the last ball.
All fourteen players participated in the game, and considering the boys had not played since last September they showed great spirit and commitment and were absolutely delighted with their win.
Match Summary
Newlands Boys’ High School v NCU U15 XI at Western Province Cricket Club - 24 March
Newlands Boys’ HS - 217 (45 overs: A Mafanga 54, A Bayoumi 47, A Scullard 37; M Waite 4-30, C Doak 2-4)
NCU U15 XI - 218/9 (44 overs: S Topping 57 ret., M Humphreys 36, M Daly 30; J Adams
ICC World Cup Qualifying Super Six final
Afghanistan won by 7 wickets
West Indies 204 (46.5 overs) R Powell 44, S Heymyer 38, E Lewis 27, A Nurse 26; Mujeeb 4-43, G Naib 2-28
Afghanistan 206-3 (40.4 overs) Mohammad Shahzad 84, Rahmat Shah 50, Mohammad Nabi 27*, C Gayle 2-38
A disappointing final for West Indies, as a jubilant team emphatically trounced by Afghanistan. Mohammed Shahzad (84) taunted the Windies throughout, but he delivered the blows that won the game. He is tubby, slow, arrogant, controversial and has plenty to say at the crease, but he's no fool, and can bat. Similar to the great Colin "Ollie" Milburn the Northants and England opener of yesteryear without the arrogance. One wonders why he had the need to display a cut-throat sign after he reached his fifty?
Gayle did remove Shahzad when his ebullient style got the better if him, but when Nabi struck three successive sixes to win the victory from Gayle he has fallen deeper and deeper into mediocrity. Not the force of former years, perhaps it is time to call it an end with some dignity?
Head Coach Phil Simmons and his sidekick John Mooney must be delighted with the win. They have deserve it!
Ireland finished 5th in the Super Six table.
ICC World Cup Qualifying
Ireland v Afghanistan
Afghanistan won by five wickets.
Ireland 209-7 (50 overs) P Stirling 55, K O'Brien 41, N O'Brien 36, W Porterfield 20; Rashid 3-40, Dawlat 2-54
Afghanistan 213-5 (49.1 overs) M Shahzad 54, G Naib 45, A Stanikzai 39*, S Shenwari 27; S Singh 3-30
Ireland batted first but struggled throughout with Stirling (55) anchoring in an unusual role after a suicidal run. The O'Brien brothers sparkled for two brief periods, but overall 209 was well short of par. It became a reality after the Afghans opened strongly and then paced them to perfection after the bowlers toiled with a low total. It was a huge disappointment for everyone.
ICC World Cup Qualifying Correction-
Zimbabwe are still technically in contention for a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, as a tie between Afghanistan and Ireland (in which each side bats for at least 25 overs) will reduce Ireland's net run-rate below Zimbabwe.
ICC World Cup Qualifying
Ireland received a huge favour from UAE when they defeated Zimbabwe by 4 runs in a rain affected game. (DLS)
It means Ireland and Afghanistan will face each other in a 'win take all' to qualify. Ironically, Ireland has a better net rate so hypothetically, if the match is rained off Ireland will qualify.
Let's hope they win on the field and earn a place on merit in Sunday's final..
I was wondering about financial support being available from local councils and indeed I raise the question that in any proposed development, do councils take cricket into consideration in any planned development. I remember a few seasons ago when Victoria faced difficulties regarding increased council charges. Thankfully it was resolved and I hope that the NCU would be making representations should a similar situation arise in other council areas.
Jack Carson
Have been following the Sussex CC tour to South Africa to see if Waringstowns 17 year old Jack Carson featured in any of the pre - season friendlies. On the Sussex website he got very favourable mentions for his contributions with both bat and ball in a game against Middlesex.(Breaking an opening partnership of 119 when he took the wicket of England International Sam Robson - not a bad scalp for your first wicket!)
For all the plaudits many young players receive he often slips under the radar but felt his success deserved to be highlighted on the Forum.
Ed...Terrific potential. A chip off the block from his dad.
ICC World Cup Qualifying
Ireland live to fight again if only for a few days. West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 4 wickets to give us a chance, albeit remote.
World Cup Qualifying
Ireland v Scotland
Ireland won by 25
Ireland 271-9 (50 overs) (A Balbirnie 105, N O'Brien 70, K O'Brien 46; B Wheal 3-43, S Sharif 2-52)
Scotland 246 (47.4 overs) (K Coetzer 61, R Berrington 44, S Sharif 34, M Watt 31*; B Rankin 4-63, S Singh 2-33, T Murtagh 2-51, B McCarthy 2-44)
Captivated TV watching from the armchair critics, and we got plenty to comment! We perform better on TV.
However, the most important factor was the result! Balbirnie and the O'Brien brothers rescued our batting, and the bowlers were impressive after a few flutters at the start and finish.
Roll on the Afghans on Friday! DD Day!
It was with sadness that I belatedly learned of the death of one of another of cricket's abiding characters - Bobby Henderson. It was always to good to meet him and his "partner in crime" Tonto at Carrickfergus. .Hendi was never slow about voicing his opinion on the standards of playing, players or umpires - all expressed with a wicked humour! Deepest sympathy to his family circle.
ed...
Just found out yesterday. He was a great character and we shared a few pints over the years.
World Cup Qualifying-Super Six
Zimbabwe v Ireland
Result-Zimbabwe won by 107 runs
Zimbabwe 211-9 (50 overs) (S Raza 69*, B Taylor 25, T Chisoro 21, C Ervine 20, C Zhuwao 20; T Murtagh 3-36, A McBrine 2-42)
Ireland 104 (34.2 overs) (P Stirling 41; T Chisoro 3-22, G Cremer 3-18)
Poor performance from Ireland and they will rue the decision to bat first after the hosts. Thereafter the bowlers flattered to receive after good work in the early stages, but Zimbabwe dodged a bullet to register 211, which was unlikely.
Must-win matches to follow from Scotland and Afghanistan.
Great win by Ireland and not many openers score over 200 in partnership. Well done Paul and William. Crazy formula that produces the top Six after Afghanistan lost three games. A semi-final seems more appropriate.
Result:
Ireland win by 226 runs (DLS)
Ireland 313-6 (44 overs) (P Stirling 126, W Porterfield 92, K O'Brien 50*; M Naveed 3-78)
UAE 91 (29.3 overs) (B Rankin 4-15, S Singh 3-15, B McCarthy 2-26)
World Cup Qualifier Group A: Harare Sports Club, Harare
West Indies 257-8 (50 overs): Powell 111, Holder 54; Murtagh 4-41, McBrine 2-45
Ireland 205 (46.2 overs): Joyce 63, K O'Brien 38; Roach 4-27 2-41
West Indies won by 52 runs
Charles,
Agree with 10 team league and as mentioned in previous posts I directly blame the condensed 8 team Premier league for the production of super teams and the demise of former great teams like Woodvale Lurgan and Downpatrick.
It won't happen as I.C.U demands 8 team Premier leagues.
