Gugs outplay Avendale at home

Gugulethu Cricket Club players in celebratory mood after Anele Mjezu, second from right, took Avendale's first wicket during the sides' WPCA First Division A, one-day match at NY49 sports complex.
Gugulethu Cricket Club’s three wicket win against Avendale at NY49 Sports Complex at the weekend advances them to the 11th spot on the Western Province Cricket Association’s First Division A one day format.

Last Friday’s late night rain enabled Saturday’s game to be limited to 30 overs for the two sides, and elected to bowl first, limiting Avendale to a shocking 82 all out in 22.5 overs.

It was evident from the first ball that Gugulethu’s attacking force meant business following Anele Mjezu and Sibusiso Maseko’s bowling figures. Mjezu picked 1/20 runs after six overs while Maseko picked 7/17 runs in six overs and two maidens.

Maseko’s bowling economy was at an impressive 2.8 runs per over with no extra-balls while Mjezu completed a bowling economy of 3.3 runs per over with five extras.

Another fire-power bowling wizard for the day was spinner, Sisonke Mazele’s 3/9 runs after 2.5 overs, with an economy of 3.2 and no extras.

The bowling attack was assisted by the third and fourth placement bowlers Sphamandla Hlakudi and Sikhumbuzo Mavumbe. Hlakudi bowled four overs, got hit for 15 runs and took one wicket with a bowling economy of 3.8 runs while Mavumbe received 1/20 runs after four overs and one maiden, with an economy of 5.2 runs per over.

Gugulethu’s bowling attack responded with coach Nicholas Mpulu’s words before the game that “they are here to attack with a young team, win a game at a time, and stay in the league.”

Mpulu said they work hard when it comes to bowling and fielding. He said they hope to transer the saem spirit into their batting.

It was a scary start for Gugulethu’s batting defence, with Avendale’s Mo-Shaif Manual and Dale Kleinhans causing havoc in the top seven batting order.

Kleinhans got 4/11 runs and three maidens in six overs with a bowling economy of 1.8 runs per over.

Manual grabbed 2/18 and one maiden in six overs, followed by four extras and a bowling economy of three runs per over.

The task at hand was fro Gugulethu’s all-rounder Vuyo Mvandaba, who after three quick boundaries looked stable, moving to an unbeaten 26 runs of 37 balls.

Mvandaba assisted by ninth placed bowler turned batsman, Mjezu (eight runs of 16 balls), scored the winning runs to give Gugulethu their second win for the WPCA First Division campaign. Gugulethu scored 85/7 in 23.4 overs.

They will play their next match against 12th placed St Augustine Cricket Club at Elfindale Sportfield on Saturday.

In other first division action, Strandfontein Cricket Club suffered their fourth defeat of the season when they went down by 28 runs against log leaders Goodwood away at the weekend.

The side is now sixth on the standing after winning six and losing four of its 10 league matches.