Disappointing start for Grantleigh
Grantleigh lost by eight wickets to Northwood High School in the second round of the cricket South Africa school 20/20 competition
GRANTLEIGH’S Timothy Russell’s superb knock of 42 runs was not enough to help his team over the line in their eight wicket defeat against Northwood High School on Wednesday afternoon in the second round of the Cricket South Africa schools 20/20 competition.
The home side won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked like a flat batting track.
The openers got off to a promising start at 12/0 after two overs, but then crumbled when three quick wicket fell which crippled the home boys.
Starring down the barrel at 17/2, Russell stepped up to the plate and steadied the ship, with contributions from Dale Leenstra and Sizwe Mthembu taking the score to 65/6.
The innings ended on 100/7.
Keegan Rowling 2/15 in four overs proved a thorn in the home team’s side.
McCarthy Toyota uThungulu speedster Sizwe Mthembu got his side off to the perfect start when he bowled a beamer that was edged to the diving keeper Taylor Styger.
Josh Harvey followed this up in the second over at the other end when he clean bowled the number three batsmen to take the score to 6/2.
With such a perfect start, hopes were raised and a win was on the cards.
But half chances let the home side down and Yetish Ramsurrup 47 not out and Duran Krummeck 43 not out put the nail in the coffin when they took their side home in the 15th over.
Northwood reached 103/2 to cement a solid eight wicket victory and secure log points.
Grantleigh, who is pooled with Northwood and Durban High School (DHS), will take on DHS in Durban in their second game, with the date still to be confirmed.
