OUDTSHOORN NEWS - The Garden Route Badgers made a dream start to their Yes Play Pro20 campaign yesterday, Thursday 1 October, beating the Eastern Cape Iinyathi by 39 runs in front of home supporters at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn.
The Badgers posted a record T20 score for the venue, finishing on 182/4 before restricting the visitors to 143/9 in their allotted 20 overs to secure a bonus-point victory.
The result was particularly significant after the Iinyathi arrived in Oudtshoorn with confidence, having stunned division 1 side North West Dragons earlier in the week.
After winning the toss, Badgers captain Janneman Malan elected to bat first and immediately laid the foundation for a competitive total.
Malan scored 29 off 22 balls, including two sixes and two fours, while Yaseen Valli produced an impressive 62 off 42 deliveries, striking two sixes and seven fours.
The pair shared an opening partnership of 84 runs before Valli was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring strain.
Slade van Staden then took charge of the innings, remaining unbeaten on 52 off 33 balls, with three sixes and two fours. He received valuable support from 20-year-old debutant Ross Coetzee, who contributed 20 runs in a 54-run partnership that helped propel the Badgers to their record-breaking total of 182/4.
 Enathi Khitshini was particularly impressive with the ball. Photo: SWD Cricket |  Yaseen Valli produced an impressive 62 off 42 deliveries. Photo: SWD Cricket |
The Iinyathi struggled to build momentum in their reply as the Badgers’ bowlers applied consistent pressure and took wickets at regular intervals.
The 19-year-old Enathi Khitshini from Thembalethu was particularly impressive with the ball, claiming 2/12 in three overs, while Reagon Rhode returned figures of 1/20.
Leo Sadler (2/30) and Banele Cele (2/23) also claimed two wickets apiece as the visitors finished on 143/9, handing the Badgers a convincing 39-run victory.
The Badgers will now travel to Polokwane to face the Limpopo Impala on Monday before returning for a major home fixture against the DP World Lions on Wednesday 7 October.
The Yes Play Pro20 tournament brings division 1 and 2 teams together in an eight-week T20 competition featuring 71 matches, and R2m in prize money is available across the tournament.
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