CRICKET NEWS - The Garden Route Badgers’ T20 campaign came to an end on Friday 21 November in their play-off match against the Eastern Cape Iinyathi to determine the second finalist.

Iinyathi advanced to the final of the T20 knockout challenge with a solid 25-run victory over the Badgers at Buffalo Park in East London.

They set a competitive target of 155/4 in their 20 overs, with Nathan Roux setting a foundation of a magnificent unbeaten 68 runs off 47 balls, including three fours and four sixes.

Despite the early dismissal of Christian du Toit (0), Wian Ruthven and Jason Niemand contributed valuable runs, scoring 30 and 28 runs respectively. Their efforts helped steady the innings after the early wicket.

Mncedisi Malika added 14 runs off just nine balls, ensuring Iinyathi finished on a high note.

Jade Richter (3/24) was the standout bowler for the Badgers, taking three crucial wickets, but Iinyathi’s score proved to be a challenging target.

Chasing 156, the Garden Route Badgers struggled to find momentum against a disciplined Iinyathi bowling attack. Kyle Joshua Jacobs was dismissed early for 13 runs, followed by Ruan Terblanche, who managed 20 runs before falling to Thozama Totana, leaving the Badgers at 61/3.

George van Heerden fought valiantly, scoring 65 runs off 48 balls (2x6, 3x4), but he lacked support from the other end as the wickets continued to fall.

The Badgers were eventually bowled out for 130 runs, with Thando Ntini taking 4/16 to help secure the win for Iinyathi.

The Garden Route Badgers will now shift their focus to their red-ball campaign when they take on the Eastern Cape Iianyathi in the four-day competition in Oudtshoorn from 18 to 21 December.

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