WELL BATTED

Van Heerden ton pleasing for Iinyathi

The boys are up and ready for the match against the Impalas

Batsman Josh van Heerden is delighted with his unbeaten century that helped the Eastern Cape Iinyathi beat the Mpumalanga Rhinos by 36 runs in their CSA Domestic One-day Series Division 2 match at Buffalo Park on Tuesday.

The Iinyathi, who suffered a narrow three-run loss to the Northern Cape Heat in their opening encounter of the tournament, registered their first win of the competition.

The 24-year-old Van Heerden played delightful strokes on his way to making 126 not out to help the Buffaloes total 297 in their 50 overs.

The batsman, who scored 11 fours and faced 134 balls, also shared in two middle-order partnerships which formed the backbone of the innings.

The first was 103 runs with Marco Marais (53 off 57 balls) for the third wicket and the second with Nonelela Yikha (50 in 59) that realised 97 for the fifth wicket.

“It is always nice contributing to the team and especially when we win at the end,” Van Heerden said.

“We were gutted by the loss against the Heat on Saturday.

“The match was close at the end, but we always believed we had everything under control.

“Rubin [Hermann] played very well to move his side closer to the target.

“It was good for us as a team to finally get points under our name.

“We hope the victory gives us momentum heading to our next games,” he said.

The Rhinos won the toss and chose to field.

Chasing the target of 297, they managed only 261 in reply.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Hermann stood strong for the Rhinos, top-scoring with an aggressive century as wickets kept tumbling around him.

He scored 134 runs off 131 balls in a knock that included 12 fours and four sixes.

Thula Ngcobo (2/34), Kieran Kenny (2/57) and Muhammed Mayet (2/39) were the most successful bowlers for the visitors.

In their turn at the crease, the Rhinos lost wickets regularly with Yassar Cook making 30 at the top of the order.

Sinovuyo Ntuntwana (3/36) was the pick of the Iinyathi bowlers.

He claimed the scalps of opening batsmen Brian Koto and Mohamed Cook earlier in the Rhinos ’ innings and came back to finish it off as he cleanbowled Gerald Ngwenyana with a yorker.

Jason Niemand got 2/70 while Thomas Kaber, Jade Klerk, Phaphama Fojela and Joshua Dodd got a wicket apiece.

The Buffaloes’ next game is against the Limpopo Impalas at the Polokwane Cricket Club on Friday.

“The boys are up and ready for the match against the Impalas,” Van Heerden said.

“We have few days in between the two games. It will be important for us to rest well to have the energy for the game,” he said.