Veterans get a shoot-out ahead of 2024 World Cup
Cricket
The four-team African Cup tournament was won by South Africa.
Namibia made a much better fist of it in the final on Friday than in their disastrous pool clash against South Africa earlier last week, when they were bowled out for just 29 runs.
Hosts South Africa were nevertheless still too crafty and deservedly won the 2023 Africa Cup men’s Over-40 cricket final at Irene Country Club in Pretoria.
South Africa (224 for nine in 45 overs) beat Namibia (139 all out in 37.4 overs) by 85 runs.
Namibia opener Johan Nel, who started of exceptionally patiently against a disciplined bowling attack, top-scored with 47 runs off 75 balls (2x4 4x6), while player-coach Norbert Manyande came in at number three and hit 42 off 65 balls (6x4).
Number nine Hendrik Geldenhuys clobbered two sixes and a four, for 18 not out off just nine balls, but eventually ran out of partners. Team captain Nicky Buys was the only other to reach double figures (14 off 21 balls, 1x4)
The player of the final was Brandon Buckley of South Africa, with 60 off 51 balls (7x4 2x6).
Road to the final
In the four-team tournament, Namibia beat SA Invitational on day 1, easily chaing down 138 to win by seven wickets.
Namibia was then overwhelmed by ten wickets by South Africa and finally, dramatically, beat a strong Zimbabwe side with the final ball of the match after being set a stiff target of 251 in 45 overs.
Against Zimbabwe, fifties by Johan Nel (74 off 89 balls), Manyande (75 off 107 balls) and Duane Viljoen (64 off 42 balls) brought the Namibians within range to eventually win by just two wickets, scoring the winning runs off the last ball.
Upcoming Over-40 World Cup
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will compete in next year’s inaugural Over-40 World Cup.
Namibia and Zimbabwe have been pooled with England, Australia, USA and Canada.
South Africa have been pooled with New Zealand, India, Wales, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.
The inaugural Over-40 World Cup will be played in the Cape Town area from 19 February to 1 March 2024.
Namibia is hopeful of a solid performance at the World Cup, with potent players such as Michael du Randt, Gerrie Snyman, Christo Greeff and Tobie Verwey in the mix despite being unavailable for the just concluded tour to Pretoria.
Hosts South Africa were nevertheless still too crafty and deservedly won the 2023 Africa Cup men’s Over-40 cricket final at Irene Country Club in Pretoria.
South Africa (224 for nine in 45 overs) beat Namibia (139 all out in 37.4 overs) by 85 runs.
Namibia opener Johan Nel, who started of exceptionally patiently against a disciplined bowling attack, top-scored with 47 runs off 75 balls (2x4 4x6), while player-coach Norbert Manyande came in at number three and hit 42 off 65 balls (6x4).
Number nine Hendrik Geldenhuys clobbered two sixes and a four, for 18 not out off just nine balls, but eventually ran out of partners. Team captain Nicky Buys was the only other to reach double figures (14 off 21 balls, 1x4)
The player of the final was Brandon Buckley of South Africa, with 60 off 51 balls (7x4 2x6).
Road to the final
In the four-team tournament, Namibia beat SA Invitational on day 1, easily chaing down 138 to win by seven wickets.
Namibia was then overwhelmed by ten wickets by South Africa and finally, dramatically, beat a strong Zimbabwe side with the final ball of the match after being set a stiff target of 251 in 45 overs.
Against Zimbabwe, fifties by Johan Nel (74 off 89 balls), Manyande (75 off 107 balls) and Duane Viljoen (64 off 42 balls) brought the Namibians within range to eventually win by just two wickets, scoring the winning runs off the last ball.
Upcoming Over-40 World Cup
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will compete in next year’s inaugural Over-40 World Cup.
Namibia and Zimbabwe have been pooled with England, Australia, USA and Canada.
South Africa have been pooled with New Zealand, India, Wales, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.
The inaugural Over-40 World Cup will be played in the Cape Town area from 19 February to 1 March 2024.
Namibia is hopeful of a solid performance at the World Cup, with potent players such as Michael du Randt, Gerrie Snyman, Christo Greeff and Tobie Verwey in the mix despite being unavailable for the just concluded tour to Pretoria.
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