When Evan Jones stepped up to the crease midway through the innings to join fellow middle order batsman Aubrey Swanepoel the situation looked precarious for the NC Heat.
A WHOPPING 157 not out by Evan Jones helped the NC Heat set the visiting South Western Districts a first innings target of 351 by late afternoon on day one of the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series match taking place at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.
The lanky 20 year-old Titans academy graduate, proved invaluable as he anchored the provincial side’s first innings. Jones top scored his personal best 157 off 128 deliveries which yielded a massive 18 boundaries and eight sixes.
At first the hosts looked shaky at the crease as the visiting South Western Districts claimed scalps one after the other. As of the sixth over NC Heat opener Victor Mahlangu had managed five boundaries before he was bowled for a brisk 22 runs off 25 deliveries by Renaldo Meyer.
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After Mahlangu went Ernest Kemm and No.3 batsman Isaac Dikgale tried to make a stand at the crease but their partnership was snipped by Meyer who trapped Kemm lbw and sent him packing in the 22nd over for 20 runs off 65 balls.
The fall of wickets at regular intervals must have lifted the spirits of the SWD bowlers as they next claimed the wicket of Jonathan Vandiar who had managed to score 26 runs off 27 balls with the score at 112/3. Dikgale next clocked 42 runs from 98 deliveries and had a solid eight boundaries to his personal tally before he too was dismissed.
When Jones stepped up to the crease midway through the innings to join fellow middle order batsman Aubrey Swanepoel the situation looked precarious for the NC Heat. Rivaldo Moonsamy had been dismissed for four runs off 27 deliveries. Hanu Viljopen was next to follow him to the showers after recording a double digit score of 11 off 38 balls.
#4DaySeries action returns as @ncapecricket host Six Gun Grill @swd_cricket at the Kimberley Oval 🔴
Match gets underway at 10:00 CAT 🏏
Watch the match live here ➡️ https://t.co/IQI6YkXgUu#BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/ZXLKPzMWT8
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 10, 2022
Jones switched on the magic and soon sprayed boundaries and sixes from either end of the pitch. By the time SWD claimed the wicket of tail-ender Kagisho Mohale in the 82nd over NC Heat had a solid 351 on the board.
Northern Cape Cricket president Gibson Molale remarked on the sidelines about the game. He said since Jones got into the habit of hitting boundaries and sixes the provincial side has been inundated with enquiries from clubs interested in Jones’ services.
“They have suddenly shown an interest in him. But we are not parting with this sort of talent,” Molale said.
The match continues today with SWD at the crease.
Spectators will be allowed into the stadium on condition that they bring along a valid vaccination card. There’s no charge, and all Covid-19 protocols will be observed at the Diamond Oval.
