The NC Heat team celebrations were robust in the change room afterwards as they toasted their first tournament win with Mark Charlton at the helm of the technical team.
A DOUBLE-century by NC Heat opening batsman Isaac Dikgale contributed massively to them declaring their first innings on 489/9 and convincingly winning the series’ league trophy of the CSA 4-Day division 2 series against Mpumalanga Rhinos in Kimberley.
Dikagle scooped the “Player of the Match” title while the team walked away with the tournament prize.
Mpumalanga Rhinos had won the toss and opted to bat. Rhinos opener Tumi Koto had started off on an explosive note driving four deliveries to the boundary before his light was dimmed at 16 runs off 20 balls. His opening partner Blake Schraader was the first casualty being caught by Hanu Viljoen off the bowling of Alexander Kok.
The visitors were finally dismissed for 267, after which Dikgale stepped up and delivered 232 runs which included a massive 25 boundaries and 5 sixes.
NC Heat lower order batsman Hanu Viljoen got the tail to wag, contributing 61 not out to the team’s score while veteran Aubrey Swanepoel got to miss his half ton by a single run 49 off 60 balls.
The hosts declared and put the Rhinos to bat; however, the visiting Mpumalanga side managed 312 runs before persistent rain washed out play on Sunday.
The draw provided NC Heat with enough points (111.24) to top the second division log standings and collect the R450,000 prize-money for this tournament.
The team celebrations were robust in the change room afterwards as they toasted their first tournament win with Mark Charlton at the helm of the technical team. Charlton said he was happy with his team’s win and said they will next focus on delivering in the shorter, 50-over series.
“Thank you to the captain Aubrey Swanepoel for affirming the confidence we had in him. He led the team through difficult times. He displayed the required attributes of being captain throughout,” said Charlton.
Northern Cape Cricket president Gibson Molala congratulated the team for an excellent win. Molale also praised CEO Eugene Jacobs and the technical team including the whole board which he said had supported the team unreservedly.
“Thank you to the coach and assistant coach Mark Charlton and Deon Gouws for an excellent win and for making sure that the boys are fit and in the best form to take on the game. This is a new dawn for us as we (are) now entering a new period where the boardroom issues are now off the table.
“We are now ready to expand our reach to all the districts to reach every youngster who loves this game. We are now preparing to tackle the One Day challenges which will start soon.”
CSA 4-Day final series log
