Mncedisi Tyilo scored a century to help Gugulethu Cricket Club beat Milnerton by 13 runs during a Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) First Division A one-day match in Milnerton on Saturday.
Milnerton won the toss and sent Gugulethu to bat first.
Tyilo’s impressive 112 runs came off 91 balls, with a strike rate of 123 percent.
According to his captain, Ncedo Tywaku, Tyilo’s aggressive form was evident at Thursday’s batting session during training at the NY49 sports complex.
He meant business against Milnerton on Saturday after scoring 17 boundaries that included nine big sixes.
Coach Nicholas Mpulu said they lost two quick wickets in the space of three overs, however, Ncedo Tywaku’s partnership with Mondli Mahlombe boosted the team, followed by another solid partnership by Khanyisile Mfana and Tyilo.
“Tyilo is always a gun when he starts to bat he can never stop. He is always playing his game. He is that type of player. After the game he was filled with confidence,” he said.
Mpulu said the overall performance by the team was an inspiration to watch.
Opening bowler Anele Mjezu and first-change bowler Lucky Tywaku had an impressive run with the ball too. Mjezu received one wicket, 23 runs and one maiden after seven overs. Tywaku bagged three wickets for 27 runs and one maiden after 9.3 overs to help Gugulethu score 217/8 after 50 overs.
“We went there to win. Milnerton came from the Premier League. They are a strong team and play good cricket. But we went there to win,” said Mpulu.
“Our bowling was excellent. Anele Mjezu and Lucky Tywaku had a consistent day with the ball. They were very responsible,” he said.
Mpulu said this year’s vision is to make the top six, while also attracting players to play and others to join the provincial teams.
“One of the Cape Cobras’ players, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, is keen to join us which is a confidence- booster for the team. Eventually we want to make the Premier League.
“On Saturday we’ll be playing an away game to United. We’ll be making some changes because we have youngsters who are writing matric,” he said.
Team scorer Vusi Ntoni said the team’s batting, in particular Tyilo’s innings stabilised the team’s performance. And, when it came to bowling, there was a magnificent partnership between Mjezu, Tywaku and Mondli Mahlombe, limiting Milnerton to 204 runs all-out.
“Lucky (Tywaku) was more aggressive with his bowling experience which helped us a lot. Mjezu was the anchor to hold the runs down. And Mondli Mahlombe and Bongi Ngingi helped with the wickets as well,” he said.
Gugulethu have now won one and lost one. Last weekend’s game against Tygerberg was postponed until early next year due to weather conditions. Ntoni said they are expecting a tough encounter against high-flying United in Green Point on Saturday, and will be gunning for maximum points.
Although Gugulethu got the better of United in their last encounter, Ntoni remains cautiously optimistic.
“We played against them last month in a T20 and won. Last year, we lost away and won at home. We’re hoping to beat them away on Saturday,” he said.