Coca-Cola South Africa U19 and
ICC world XI all-rounder, Gerald Coetzee, led his team to victory as the
Bloemfontein based Saint Andrews defeated Northern Cape High School to secure a
spot in Coca-Cola Schools T20 National Finals.
St. Andrews made it to the
franchise finals after defeating their rivals, Grey College, last week. St.
Andrews played Northern Cape High at Diamond Oval, Kimberley on Friday 23
February where they won and will therefore represent the central franchise,
Knights, at Coca-Cola Schools T20 National Finals.
St. Andrews won the toss and
elected to bat first. After losing an early wicket of Henre Koekemoer, Gerald
Coetzee went on to the crease to join Garnett Tarr. Their partnership of 123
runs from 87 balls ( 10x4, 6x5) gave the bowlers and fielders a hard time on
the field. Northern Cape High finally had a breakthrough when Jaun Mpofu bowled
Gerald Coetzee out for 71 runs from 50 balls (7x4, 4x6). Shortly after Gerald’s
fall Garnett was dismissed by Zacharea Mason for 53 runs from 39 balls (4x4,
1x6). Pheko Moletsane also came to the show and was unbeated at the end of the
innings for 32* from 13 balls (4x4, 1x6). St. Andrews set a target of 189 for
Northen Cape High to chase.
The hosts started on a good foot
as they were 98/3, but things took a sour turn when they lost 3 wickets to
Gerald Coetzee’s last over (consisting of 2 runouts and a caught behind wicket)
thereby taking them to 103/6. Reeza Alexander of Northern Cape High did not
give up without a fight as he managed to score 58 from 51 balls for his team.
Northern Cape High ended their innings on 139/9. Saint Andrews won by 48 runs
and will therefore represent Knights at Coca-Cola Schools T20 National Finals.
Tournament ambassador and Proteas
batsman, Temba Bavuma, was impressed by Reeza Alexander’s resilience, and was
included in Coca-Cola T20 All-Star team to take on a Cricket South Africa
Development Hub team at the National Finals.
“I’m a little disappointed that
we lost today as we worked very hard to get here, but I’m also very excited to
get another opportunity from Coca-Cola to go to the national finals and
showcase my talent,” said Reeza Alexander.
Mason Zacharea, Northern Cape’s
left arm spinner, showed great control and responsibility during pressure
situations and earned himself a spot in the Coca-Cola T20 All-Star team.
Zacharea commented, “It feels
great to be selected by someone like Temba Bavuma. I can’t wait to meet the
other players in the all-star team. I’m looking forward to making new friends.”
Mason Zacharea and Reeza
Alexander join Matthew Montgomery and Simon Holmes from Clifton College in the
Coca-Cola T20 All-Star team.
To engage with the tournament
online, search #WhereHeroesAreMade on Twitter or visit @CocaCola_ZA and
@OfficialCSA
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