St Andrew’s College of Grahamstown will be at the Schools T20 national finals in Pretoria this weekend, but it’s been a touch-and-go thing, writes THEO GARRUN. 

They were down to meet Hudson Park in the Warriors franchise final last Friday, but non-stop rain in East London saw the game postponed, first to Saturday, then Sunday, and it was eventually decided on a bowl-out at the indoor nets when the rain just wouldn’t let up.

The St Andrew’s captain is Guy Rushmere, and he described that bowl-out as the most exciting and pressurised situation he’s been in for a long time.

‘Five players bowled at the undefended stumps, and the sides were all square after two rounds of five balls. Eventually, we won in sudden death.’

However they got there, Guy is thrilled that St Andrew’s are part of the nationals.

READ ALSO: St Andrews win EP schools T20

‘It’s going to be great to go up against all the top schools, some of which we don’t usually play,’ he said. ‘It would be wrong to say that we don’t believe we can win the title, but I prefer to say we will be trying to do the basics right and concentrating on the small things. Then the results will take care of themselves.’

St Andrew’s has had a very good season.

‘We lost to Menlo Park in a pre-season game and to Malvern College of England at the Independent Schools festival,’ he explained. ‘Other than that we have been unbeaten, and that included two wins over Grey High School, who are traditionally our strongest local rivals.’

READ ALSO: Defending champs St Andrews qualify for T20 Challenge

On a personal level, it’s been a good year for Guy. He made 186 against Selborne and got an 86 along with several half-centuries.

‘I’m very much a part-time bowler, but I can be quite economical when I have to,’ he added.

Guy has a strong cricketing pedigree. He has represented Eastern Province at all the junior levels, except for U15 when he was injured.

‘I had a decent U17 provincial week last year and am hoping to make the Khaya Majola Week side this year,’ he said.

Playing cricket at St Andrew’s has been an amazing journey, he added.

‘We got to play against the Oppenheimer XI at Randjesfontein this year and went to the Independent Schools Festival. The T20 final is going to be the cherry on top.’

Photo: Supplied