Africa-Press – Namibia. A fierce battle can be expected when Wanderers and WHS Old Boys take each other on in a top of the log Cricket Premier League match at WHS’s Vegkop ground tomorrow.
The two sides have dominated the 50-over Premier League over the past decade, with Wanderers winning six and WHS four titles, but in recent years Old Boys have been more successful, winning the past two league titles.
Wanderers, though, are clearly on a mission to regain their former dominance and have started the season in great style, winning their first four matches to top the log on 16 points.
One of those victories was against Old Boys, whom they beat by four wickets in the first round in November last year, but not much should be read into that result as Old Boys were not at full strength, with their national players still recuperating and unavailable after the T20 World Cup.
Wanderers, though, did field some of their national players and two of them – JJ Smit and Michau du Preez played a crucial role in securing their victory after scoring 64 and 60 not out respectively.
Other national players like Jan Frylinck, Karl Birkenstock and Bernard Scholtz have also played important roles in Wanderers’ success this season, but they also have strength in depth with national fringe players like Niko Davin, JC Balt and Dewald Nell all contributing to their success.
Old Boys will still be without national captain Gerhard Erasmus who is recuperating from a broken finger, but with their other national players available, they should field a strong side.
Craig Williams, in his only match since returning from the T20 World Cup, scored a brilliant 184 against CCD last December, while Zane Green and Ruben Trumpelmann are match winners in their own right.
Besides them, former national player JP Kotze has been in great form this season, and is currently the leading run scorer with 199 runs at an average of 99,50.
Along with other stalwarts like Wimpie Viljoen, Malan Kruger and Tangeni Lungameni, as well as promising youngsters like Dylan Leicher, Gerhard Janse van Rensburg, Dirkie Theunissen and Donovan Zealand they too have strength in depth and an enticing battle can be expected.
In another match tomorrow, CCD host Trustco United at the CCD field in Olympia. CCD last week thrashed MR24/7 Welwitschia by 111 runs in Walvis Bay, to move above United into third position on the log.
CCD’s national players played a big role in that win with Nicol Loftie-Eaton scoring 47, Pikky Ya France 41 and Stephan Baard 39, while spinner Mauritius Ngupita skittled Welwitschia out for a mere 59 with great figures of 5/31.
Along with national pace bowler Ben Shikongo, and other stalwarts like Joshuan Julius, Ramon Wilmot, Elton Ambambi and Norbert Manyande, CCD should start as favourites on their home ground.
United, however, have been steadily improving this season and will fancy their chances after a fine performance against Wanderers last weekend. Although they lost by two wickets, they matched Wanderers all the way, before Wanderers’ experienced allrounder Jan Frylinck pulled them through with a match-winning innings of 51.
Although United captain Lohan Louwrens is still not at his best batting form, he has developed into a bowler of note this season and is currently the top wicket taker in the league with 11 scalps at an average of 11,09.
Against Wanderers, United were dismissed for a relatively low 166, but they recovered well from 5/55, while Janlu Steenkamp with 31 and Damon Coetzee with 15 not out added a crucial 45-run 10th wicket partnership. If they can display that batting depth again, they could give CCD a good run for their money.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
