A wrap of day three at the 2017 Momentum National Club Championship in Pretoria, where the Crusaders Cricket Club almost upset reigning champions North-West University Cricket Club – and all-rounder Kyle Simmonds again starred for the Stellenbosch University Cricket Club.
Short reports
A superb century from South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen – and complementary half-ton and three key wickets from all-rounder Thomas Kaber – carried the University of Pretoria Cricket Club (Tuks) to a comfortable 135-run victory over the University of Fort Hare Cricket Club, who have suffered three successive defeats.
A second consecutive half-century from all-rounder Simmonds – and seamer Brandon Glover’s three important breakthroughs – ensured a tight three-wicket win for Stellenbosch University Cricket Club (Maties) over the University of the Free State Cricket Club (Kovsie), who are still without a win this tournament.
Seamer Nicholas Hewer’s four-wicket haul proved vain, as the Crusaders Cricket Club slipped to a nail-biting two-wicket defeat at the hands of reigning champions North-West University Cricket Club (Pukke), whose dynamic duo – Marques Ackerman and Lesego Senokwane – each welcomed a match-winning half-century.
Player of the Match awards
University of Fort Hare Cricket Club v University of Pretoria Cricket Club (Tuks): Heinrich Klaasen
Stellenbosch University Cricket Club (Maties) v University of the Free State Cricket Club (Kovsie): Kyle Simmonds
Crusaders Cricket Club v North-West University Cricket Club (Pukke): Riaan Minnie
Wednesday’s fixtures
University of Fort Hare Cricket Club v University of the Free State Cricket Club (Kovsie)
University of Pretoria Cricket Club (Tuks) v North-West University Cricket Club (Pukke)
Stellenbosch University Cricket Club (Maties) v Crusaders Cricket Club
Current standings
2017 Momentum National Club Championship: Day TWO, in brief
2017 Momentum National Club Championship: Day ONE, in brief