Some hard preparation work paid dividends for the Border Over-50 cricket team who triumphed in the Over-50 interprovincial tournament Cup final against the Western Province side at the Wanderers Cricket Club in Johannesburg on Friday.
Defending champions WP Over-50 posted an excellent 230 for eight wickets.
For Border, Tyron Henderson bowling off-spinners captured 4-25, while Lefty Ngece took 2-47.
Border proved they were up to the task. They batted confidently and replied with 234 for four wickets, winning the final by six wickets.
Number three batsman Robin Knott scored a solid 104 not out to ensure the victory.
He faced 110 deliveries in his innings, which included 12 boundaries and a six.
In the plate final, the Boland Over-50s beat the Lions’ side to finish as runners-up.
Border were further honoured when three players were selected for the SA squad and another three gained selection for SA “A”.
Henderson and Ngece, along with opening bat Russell Krug gained selection for SA, while former Springbok rugby fullback Russell Bennett was selected as captain of the SA “A” team, along with Shaun Fourie, younger brother of Brendan Fourie, and Kgee Gantso.
Henderson was further honoured by being named the Player of the Tournament for his fine all-round play.
Later in 2024, the two SA teams will participate in a four-team tournament which will include the Namibian and Zimbabwean sides in Windhoek.
Thereafter, a final SA Over-50 squad will be selected to represent the country in a tournament scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka in February 2025.
Knott, speaking on behalf of the team, said the Johannesburg tournament was very well run and that Border were without doubt the fittest team on display.
“The camaraderie of the team was magnificent,” Knott said.
Border’s plan was to open the batting with Krug and Henderson, which usually got Border off to a very fast start, he said.
“We switched the batting around to give everyone a chance to bat,” Knott said.
“And it paid off as usually one of the team would get some good runs. All our bowlers had excellent tournaments.”
Earlier results:
Day 1: Border Over-50 255-9 (Shaun Fourie 91, Krug 39). Lions Over-50 247 all out (Justin Price 3-37, Krug 2-25). Border won by 8 runs.
Day 2: Border Over-50 395-7 (Henderson 147, Krug 88). Dolphins Over-50 108 all out (Ngece 4-9, Andrew Emslie 2-13). Border won by 287 runs.
Day 3: Titans Over-50 190-8 (Henderson 3-14. Ngece 2-33). Border 192-6 (Ngece 68 not out, Krug 63). Border won by four wickets.
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