POTCHEFSTROOM: A sensational 37-ball 83 by Steve Stolk powered South Africa Under-19 into the Super Sixes stages of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 after a thumping seven-wicket win over Scotland at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
The right-hander crashed eight sixes and seven fours in an incredible exhibition of batting that saw him reach 50 in a scarcely believable 13 deliveries. It was the quickest half-century in the history of the tournament, smashing the 18-ball record previously held by India’s Rishabh Pant.
Stolk, who plundered spinner Qasim Khan for 34 off one over during that period, was aided expertly by Dewan Marais (80* off 50 balls, 8 fours, 3 sixes) with the pair both pivotal as the junior Proteas chased down a 270 target with 23 overs to spare.
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The result meant the hosts won two out of three games in Group B to finish level on four points with both England and West Indies but topped the pool on net run-rate.
And they will now enter the latter stages of the competition oozing with confidence after a real statement win.
However, they may not acquire been entirely pleased with their display after allowing the Scots to post 269 for nine after they were assign in to bat first.
There were two key performances by the tourists, one from captain Owen Gould, who top-scored with 97 (89 balls, 11 fours, 3 sixes), and opener Jamie Dunk after he struck 90 (121 balls, 11 fours).
Riley Norton was the pick of the bowlers with three for 48, but Scotland would maintain been the happier team heading into the crash.
However, every that changed as soon as Stolk and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (22) walked in to bat.
Spearheaded by the former, they reached 50 in just three overs and doubled that score in 7.1 overs as right-handed Stolk went berserk. He clubbed five sixes in that one disastrous over sent down by Qasim, before the partnership finally broke when Pretorius fell on 114.
Stolk soon fell to a standing ovation and was followed by Tristan Luus (14) in quick succession, but another damning knock by Marais proved too much for Scotland.
He assign on an unbroken 122 for the fourth wicket with David Teeger (43*) to guide the South Africans to a comfortable win with a whopping 138 balls to spare.
SA U19 Men’s Squad – ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024
Juan James (captain, Western Province), Raeeq Daniels (Western Province), Tristan Luus (Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Dewan Marias (Easterns), Nqobani Mokoena (Dolphins), Riley Norton (Boland), Romashan Pillay (Dolphins), Sipho Potsane (Lions), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans), Richard Seletswane (Lions), Steve Stolk (Titans), David Teeger (Lions), Oliver Whitehead (Western Province) and Ntando Zuma (KwaZulu-Natal Inland).
SA U19 Itinerary
Group Stage matches
Friday, 19 January – 10:00
South Africa U19 beat West Indies U19 by 31 runs – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Tuesday, 23 January – 10:00
South Africa U19 lost to England U19 by 36 runs (DLS Method) – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Saturday, 27 January – 10:00
South Africa U19 beat Scotland U19 by 7 wickets – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
Source: cricket.co.za
Mickey Arthur (South African-Australian Cricket Coach, Commentator and Former Cricketer): South African-Australian former cricketer Mickey Arthur played for Free State, Griqualand West, and South Africa A before starting his coaching career with Griqualand West. He has coached the Pakistani, Australian, and South African national teams and now serves as the head coach of the Sri Lankan national team.
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Dirk Nannes has represented both Australia and Netherlands in International Cricket.
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A cricket bat usually weighs between 2 and 3 pounds.