Victory cements league qualification

MCCARTHY Toyota’s uThungulu’s middle order did what was necessary for KZN to secure a comfortable three-wicket victory over the Orange Free State in an entertaining South African Rural League fixture played at Addison Park on Saturday.

It was Trevor Kietsmann who added an aggressive 50 to his earlier fine bowling display of medium-paced seamers that yielded 4/52 from 9.5 overs, and Gareth Bishop (52 not out)who saw to it that the local squad were victorious.

It was the home team’s third victory in as many matches and their position in this year’s SA rural tournament to be played later in the season seems to be pretty secure.

Having won the toss, KZN asked the Free Staters to take first knock.

D Scoombi and A Coetzee put on a useful 49 for the first wicket.

But once they left the crease, there was a minor collapse and the innings slumped to 100 for the loss of five wickets.

M Boucher top scored with 51 and S Hickley with 15 managed to put on 46 runs for the sixth wicket.

But with N Lochaba lbw to Kietzmann they were not looking too good at 146 for the loss of seven wickets.

Extras contributed a disappointing 23 runs to the visitors’ score of 184 all out in 47.3 overs.

Having to score at 3.7 runs per over to reach their target, the KZN side lost four wickets for 53 in their reply.

Kietzmann and Bishop then came to the fore to put on 82 for the fifth wicket.

But it was captain Ragen Kazi 11 who together with Bishop added 27 for the eighth wicket to secure their victory and with three wins they are well on their way to the SA Rural competition in February.

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