Skipper Roux’s ton marshals Iinyathi to three on the trot

Eastern Cape Iinyathi captain Nathan Roux smashed a brilliant century to help his team claim their third consecutive victory in the CSA Division 2 One-Day Cup as they beat the Garden Route Badgers by seven wickets at Buffalo Park in KuGompo City on Sunday. Roux finished unbeaten on 104 off 114 balls as Iinyathi chased down the Badgers’ target of 253 with seven overs left. It was all thanks to Roux and Michael Copeland, who shared a fourth wicket partnership of 160, as they rescued Iinyathi after they had slipped to 48-2 after eight overs.

Copeland was among the major contributors with his 77 runs off 95 balls. Christiaan du Toit scored a quick-fire 37 runs off 23 balls. Lihle Sizani only managed two runs at the top, while Jason Niemand made 21 runs.

Earlier in the day, fast bowlers Thando Ntini and Nico van Zyl put on a superb bowling display to restrict the Badgers to 252 after they had elected to bat. The duo claimed three wickets each. Ntini was more instrumental in cleaning up the tail while Van Zyl did the damage at the top.

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The lanky Van Zyl was the one who paved the way for the Iinyathi bowling attack after he removed Ruan Terblanche for a duck in the first over. Kyle Jacobs and Yaseen Valli tried to up the pace for the Badgers and make use of fielding restrictions in the power play, with Iinyathi fielders in the inner circle, but they couldn’t find the gaps. The Iinyathi fielding backed up the pressure exerted by Van Zyl and Chad Classen, who operated from the other end.

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