Windhoek
Namibia’s topflight league cricket outfit Wanderers 1 proved too strong for CCD’s first team when the two sides met in the Three Ships Premier League final in Windhoek over the weekend.
Wanderers, the defending champions, won the national title with six wickets and 96 balls remaining after they cancelled out CCD’s 232 runs. Both teams had lost key players to national team commitments.
CCD, who won the toss, elected to bat first, but could not capitalize on their home ground advantage. Their opening batsmen Joshuan Julius and Pelham Myburgh enjoyed a good start but were both out for 22 on a track that was difficult during the opening hour.
Justin Baard’s 40 off 65 balls built some momentum for the hosts, but after he fell lbw to Pieter Meuwesen, the batting order crumbled one by one and it was only when captain Darren van Dyk took to the crease that CCD managed to improve their score significantly.
Van Dyk’s exploits earned his team 74 runs but after some excellent play he was eventually caught. After that, CCD was only able to add few more runs to amass a total of 232 in 50 overs.
LP van der Westhuizen played a big part in slowing down CCD with three wickets. Pieter Rossouw and Pieter Meuwesen added two more apiece.
But what seemed to be a defendable total was quickly put in doubt as Wanderers’ openers Pieter Grove and Niko Davin got off to a flying start on a pitch that played much better during the afternoon.
Especially junior national team cricketer Davin had a day to remember as he scored 101 runs off just 85 balls, with an incredible fourteen 4s and one 6. It was his second consecutive century. Grove added 54 runs as Wanderers started to run away on the scoreboard.
LP van der Westhuizen, Niel Rossouw, Tobie Verwey and Tiaan Louw (both not out) did the rest of the damage to secure the title.
Two wickets from Herman Karsten couldn’t prevent CCD from falling short to their rivals.
Wanderer’s victory in the Three Ships 50-over format was a fitting farewell gift to inspirational skipper Niel Rossouw, who announced his retirement after a career that spanned well over 22 years.