CRICKET NEWS - The Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers made history when they won their first ever trophy after an epic battle against the AET Tuskers at the Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday 28 December.
The Badgers defeated the defending champions by 11 runs in a pulsating final.
The Badgers, who were requested to bat, posted 253/7 in their allotted 50 overs. The visitors got their innings going thanks to an 80-runs partnership for the first wicket between Matthew Christensen (46 from 77 balls; 5x4) and Blayde Capell (38; 48 balls; 5x4). Christensen and Jhedli van Briesies (43 from 44 balls; 1x6, 3x4) also added 58 for the third wicket while Sean Whitehead (25 from 28 balls; 1x4) and Pheko Moletsane (38 from 35 balls; 1x6, 3x4) added a vital partnership of 58 for the sixth wicket at the back end of the innings. Stefan Tait (2/28) and Malcolm Nofal (3/48) were the most successful bowlers for the Tuskers.
The run chase of the Tuskers never kicked in, despite a stand of 98 between Yaseen Vallie (59 from 87 balls; 7x4) and Michael Erlank (38 form 57 balls; 5x4) for the third wicket.
The dangerman, Tiaan Koekemoer, added 50 from 59 balls (1x6, 3x4) before he was dismissed by a perfect yorker by the Badgers' bowling hero and top wicket taker in the competition, Basheer Walters. who finished with figures of 4/46 (10 overs).
He received good support from the skipper Onke Nyaku (2/29) and Sean Whitehead (1/34 in 10 overs).
The Tuskers were dismissed with the last ball of the match for 242. Walters received the Man of the Match Award.
What made the performance of the Badgers significant was that they won the final without three of their key players, namely Jean du Plessis, André Malan and Marcello Piedt, who were all injured. Mark Andrianatos and Johan Smal were elevated from the Academy team.
In his response, Rudy Claassen, president of SWD Cricket, congratulated the Badgers with this historic achievement.
"This victory is long overdue, but I would like to congratulate the coaching staff, players and the behind-the-scenes back-room staff on this performance. You played what we stood for and made us proud," he said. He also thanked the sponsors and loyal supporters for their passionate support during the campaign.
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