SA U19 beat Sri Lanka by 49 runs to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match Youth ODI series in Oudtshoorn on Friday.
After losing the toss, the home side were put into bat first. Matthew Breetzke and Raynard van Tonder hit half-centuries to get their side to 220-8.
Opener Breetzke scored a patient 68 from 105 deliveries (four fours, three sixes) and Van Tonder, 61 from 72 delivers (four fours, three sixes) after the loss of fellow opener, Wandile Makwetu who fell for a 48-ball 30. Mitchell van Buuren rounded off the last notable contribution with the bat, hitting 24 from 28 balls.
Npun Ransika was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, taking 4-39 with Hareen Weerasingha chipping in with 2-47.
Ruan de Swardt led the SA bowling attack, picking up 3-38 as the tourists were restricted to 171 in 44.3 overs. Kenan Smith (2-39) and Michael Cohen (2-43). Lutho Sipamla (1-16) and Jade de Klerk (1-19) also did well to slow down the run rate and maintain pressure in what was a unified bowling display.
Coach Lawrence Mahatlane was delighted with his team’s performance and the manner in which they won the match and series. He was particularly happy with the way the players stuck to their game plans and the objectives of the team going into the series.
‘One of the keys before the series that we spoke about was sticking to the basics and I think the batting line-up, the bowling line-up and the fielding unit really mastered the basics,’ he said. ‘Today, there was an opportunity for us to get a little more than 220 but unfortunately our top three, who set the tone quite nicely up front, didn’t kick on (as they would have liked). That being said, we felt that 220 was competitive enough and our bowling unit showed what a special unit it is.’
SA captain, Wiaan Mulder (10 off 20), who did not have a great day with the bat, was proud of how the batting line-up put up their hands and continued to wrestle for runs all the way to the end. He hopes to end the series with a 3-0 whitewash.
‘I’m incredibly proud of the boys, it was an great effort today,’ he commented. ‘I thought 220 was quite a good score on this field, the wicket was quite slow and I was happy with how Raynie (van Tonder) and Breetzke played. It was a really good batting effort from them.
‘The bowlers came out with a lot of energy, guns blazing, we were ready for the fight and I think it showed in the end result. It’s a really good way to win the series especially after the disappointment of losing the tri-series. Our plan now is to try and do more of the same on Sunday and hopefully take a series whitewash.’
The third and final match of the series will take place at the same venue (Recreation Ground) on Sunday.
PHOTO: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
