Van Briesies century in vain as Badgers folds

GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO SPORTS NEWS -Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers top-order batsman, Jhedli van Briesies, played brilliant innings when he reached his maiden List A century against Limpopo Impala at the Polokwane Cricket Club in the Cricket South Africa Division 2 Limited Over Competition on Tuesday.

However, this was not good enough as the home side recorded a thrilling last-ball victory as they chased down 246 with 4 wickets in hand.

Van Briesies contributed 107 (from 136 balls, 15x4) as the Badgers ended on 245/9 in their allotted 50 overs.

The Badgers, who won the toss and elected to bat, was against the ropes with their score at 27/4 in the 11th over, but Van Briesies and Sean Whitehead

(61; 73 balls, 6x4) resurrect the innings of the visitors when they took the score to 167/5 (in the 37th over) with a 140 runs partnership for the 5th wicket. Keenan Viera (23 from 17 balls; 3x4) added a valuable contribution at the back end of the innings. Zakhele Qwabe (4/36) and Morné Venter (3/21) were the most successful bowlers for the Impalas.

The Impalas, who needed 80 runs from the last 10 overs and ten runs from the last over, didn't panic as they reached the winning target thanks to meaningful contributions from Ludwig Kaestner (71 from 115 balls; 2x6, 3x4) and a match-winning innings by Morné Venter with an unbeaten 63* from 67 balls (1x6, 2x4). Basheer Walters (3/46) was the pick of the bowlers for the Badgers.

Jhedli van Briesies scored a brilliant hundred over the weekend.