It was all South Africa who ensure they beat host nation, Ghana in Group A opener on Oval A in the 13th African Games on Sunday, March 17, 2024.
The proteas were full of energy and having won toss decided to bat first. Led by captain George Van Heerden, who came on as the 3rd batter after opener Maahir Joseph was dismissed on the 1.1 over by Godfred Bakiweyem’s delivery, South Africa scored a remarkable 237 runs for 2 wickets to give Ghana a scare.
George stayed on till the last ball, scoring a total of 107* off 57 balls and was celebrated by all for the century score chalked.
Ghana in the second innings went all out, with James Vifah 41(25) telling the proteas a Ghanaian story but his partnership with Richmond Baaleri 9(12) was broken when Jason Raubenheimer gave him timber on the 7.1 over. James scored 1 boundary sixes and 6 boundary fours in the second innings.
Ghana could not hold the batting order and managed 103-7, while South Africa won by 134 runs to top Group A.
Obed Harvey is captain of the Ghana team and he says they will bounce back.
“This is one of the best games we have ever played, so we rate it higher, we will not take any negative out of it because it is one of those days in a game, the guys did well, but it did not just did not go our way.
“We are still there throughout and that is a positive. We do not want to talk about any challenge we faced out there, we enjoyed what happened today, it did not go our way, we want to just go back there and come back stronger. We want our fans to come support us throughout, we want to assure them that, we will keep doing our best and the best is yet to come”
Van Heerden was named player of the match, as he scored 8 boundary fours and 7 boundary sixes with a strike rate of 187.71.
On Oval B, Kenya fell short to Uganda, as Dinesh Nakrani grabbed player of the match accolade with 43(23). Uganda went all guns blazing in the first innings, scoring 169-7, with a good start with Roger Mukasa 59(45) and Simon Ssesazi 9(9).
A wonderful team play by the Ugandans limited Kenya to 97, all out in 16.3 overs, while Uganda won by 72 runs. Kenya lost, but Lucas Oluoch was superb in the bowling figures, with 4-0-20-5.
Via NRR, Uganda occupies the 1st spot with 2 points, followed by South Africa with 2. Ghana and Kenya are 3rd and 4th with no point.
Matches continue on Monday, March 18, 2024 as South Africa plays Kenya with Ghana welcoming Uganda in the afternoon.
There are regular updates of the 13th African Games on Ghana Cricket Association Social Media handles:
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