SACricketmag.com was at Wits University to witness an extraordinary century from Jason Niemand against Western Province, on day two of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week.
The SA U19 all-rounder, who represents Border, bounced back from a terrible performance on day one against Northerns where he scored 19 and a duck to eliminate any doubt of his ability by scoring 131 off 111 balls.
It was an average start for Border who lost three wickets for 75 runs, with Umar Anthony, Grant Martin and Sisonke Mazele picking up a wicket apiece before an exquisite partnership between Niemand and Border captain Sinethemba Qeshile.
The pair shared a 184-run partnership to help Border post 275-6 declared in their first innings.
Qeshile scored eight fours for his 60 while Niemand smashed 11 fours and three sixes for his 131, as Western Province struggled to find a breakthrough.
WP’s best bowler was Mazele who finished with 4-55, removing Qeshile, Niemand and Jason Raubenheimer.
Western Province struggled to get a foothold in the match. Akhona Mnyaka was involved in two wickets dismissing Karl Vermeulen and taking an amazing catch off Sebastian Denison-Brown’s bowling to rattle WP to 14-2.
Niemand showed why he is regarded as one of South Africa’s best young all-rounder talents, taking 2-38 in his 20 overs bowled.
Western Province only managed 143-8 in their chase, Denison-Brown taking 3-28 to finish as Border’s top bowler – the final result thus being a draw.
See all other results of the day:
Boland U19 1st won on the 1st Innings
Eastern Province U19 1st won on the 1st Innings
Limpopo U19 vs KZN U19 match drawn
SWD U19 1st won on the 1st Innings
Mpumalanga U19 1st won on the 1st Innings
Easterns U19 vs North West U19 match drawn
Photo: Khalid Mohidin/SACricketmagazine
