Badgers lose momentum in four-day series

CRICKET NEWS - After a sound and promising start in the four-day Cricket SA division 2 competition, the Garden Route Badgers have lost momentum and suffered their second consecutive defeat last weekend.

In a crucial fixture against the Flexbrand Knights at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Yaseen Valli and his troops went down by seven wickets, with more than a day to spare.

The Badgers, who have won their first three outings in comprehensive fashion, will now have their work cut out for a place in the final, and a home final will rely on the failure of the Knights and Eastern Storm in their remaining pool fixtures.

After the Badgers won the toss and opted to bat first, Valli (31) and Ruan Terblanche (31) contributed 62 runs for the first wicket, whereafter the middle order collapsed. Thanks to a valuable 68 (78 balls; 9x4) by Liam Alder, the Badgers were able to end on a modest 194 all out. The experienced Malusi Siboto (4/33) was the pick of the bowlers for the Knights.

In the Knights’ first innings, newcomer Merrick Brett (5/25 in 15.1 overs), who is on loan from the Titans, bowled exceptionally well as the Knights were restricted on 171 - a first-innings lead of 23 for the Badgers.

The turning point in the match, however, was the Badgers’ poor batting performance in the second innings on Friday afternoon as they were dismissed for a disappointing 121 all out.

The fast bowler from the Knights, Johann van Dyk (6/28), was in excellent form.

With a target of 144, the Knights overcome an early threat with their total at 55/3, but an unbeaten partnership of 91 for the fourth wicket between Ruan Haasbroek (51*) and Richard Maree (35*) steered them home.

The Badgers are still the log leaders with 89.6 points after five matches. The Knights are second at 79.76 after four matches, and Eastern Storm is third on 75.02 points after four matches. The Badgers’ last pool match starts on 29 January against the Eastern Storm in Oudtshoorn. In the context of the current scenario, the Badgers will require an outright victory to qualify for the final.

Summarised score card

Flexbrand Knights beat Garden Route Badgers by 7 wickets:

Garden Route Badgers 1st innings 194 all out (Liam Alder 68, Yaseen Valli 31, Ruan Terblanche 31, Malusi Siboto 4/33, Seth Fledermaus 3/50, Johann van Dyk 2/46), and 2nd innings 121 all out (Yaseen Valli 38, Merrick Brett 26, Johann van Dyk 6/28, Malusi Siboto 2/21).

Flexbrand Knights 1st innings 171 all out (Patrick Botha 59, Malusi Siboto 28, Merrick Brett 5/25, Banele Cele 2/40, Pheko Moletsane 2/6), and 2nd innings 146/3 (Ruan Haasbroek 51*, Richard Maree 35*, Gihahn Cloete 34).

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