Warriors wicketkeeper-batsman Sinethemba Qeshile showcased his class during his debut in the One-Day Cup in Paarl and earns Friday’s Play of the Day award, writes ANITHA MADIKIZELA.
Qeshile had a fantastic day out in Paarl as he bagged two catches in the first innings before going on to score an important half-century for the Warriors on debut. His excellent innings under pressure was instrumental in carrying the Warriors over the line by three wickets in the riveting curtain-raiser to the 2018-19 One-Day Cup campaign.
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The 19-year-old right-hander from the Eastern Cape carried over his blistering form in the recently concluded CSA 4-Day Franchise Series to the 50-over format to help the Warriors secure the win over the unlucky Cape Cobras.
The Cobras had posted 276-6 in their allotted overs on a slow Paarl pitch, thanks to contributions from opener Pieter Malan (54 off 60 balls, 6×4) and No 3 Zubayr Hamza (49 off 54 balls, 3×4). The recently-capped Protea Lutho Sipamla was the pick of the Warriors bowlers with 3-50 in eight overs, and accounted for Cobras’ top-scorer Kyle Verreynne for 84 (76 balls, 7×4 1×6) during his spell.
The Warriors began their pursuit well with a dominant 110-run opening partnership between Matthew Breetzke (57 off 71 balls, 7×4) and Gihahn Cloete, before a run-out by Hamza broke the stand.
Qeshile joined Cloete at the crease in the 30th over with the visitors needing 140 more for victory off 122 deliveries. The pair grinded out a hard-fought 70-run stand for the third wicket before Cloete was dismissed by the excellent Jason Smith (3-46 in 10 overs) after reaching his century.
The pressure then fell squarely on the shoulders of Qeshile, but the young man handled the situation well by contributing 54 off 56 balls which included four fours – three of which were struck off Dane Paterson off consecutive balls – to get the Warriors close to the finishing line.
He's done it!!
What an exceptional performance by the debutant. 52 not out off 55 balls (4×4), he's got one more job to do.
Can he get his team over the line? 8 off 6 balls needed#MODC pic.twitter.com/wA5FeDCP5G
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 8, 2019
Qeshile was unlucky to be run out by Tladi Bokako in the final over of the innings, and missed out on the Player of the Match award due to Cloete’s 111 off 127 balls (11×4) that saw him bag the accolade.
READ ALSO: Qeshile leads SA U19 revival
The One-Day Cup opening weekend continues with the Dolphins and Lions facing off in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday before the Titans take on the Knights at SuperSport Park on Sunday.
Photo: Thinus Maritz/Gallo Images
