Malan and Co. steer record-breaking Badgers to victory

CRICKET NEWS - A brilliant century by former Protea batsman Janneman Malan (114 from 107 balls; 5x6, 8x4) steered the Garden Route Badgers to its highest List A total and a 257 bonus point victory against the Mpumalanga Rhinos in Sunday’s Dafabet Pro 50 cup match at White River.

The Badgers’ innings total, 359/7 in 50 overs, exceeds the previous record (344/9 vs the Northern Cape Heat at Oudtshoorn in the 2023/24 season).

After being put in to bat, Malan and skipper Yaseen Valli (65 from 75 balls; 11x4), amasse an opening stand of 131. Thereafter Malan and Slade van Staden (90; 76 balls, 1x6, 17x4) added 125 runs for the second wicket. Van Staden and Modise Maloka (76; 29 balls; 1x6, 6x4) added a further partnership of 71 runs for the third wicket.

The run chase of the home side never got going. They were dismissed for 202 runs in the 35th over but not after the captain, Muhammed Mayet, contributed with a century (103).

He received support from Yasser Cook (40). For the Badgers, Leo Sadler (3/29 in six overs) and Pheko Moletsane (2/17 in five overs), were the pick of the bowlers while Liam Alder (1/35 in 10 overs) bowled very economically.

The three-day match ended in a draw after rain and inclement weather prevented play on the first two days. The Rhinos declared their innings at 220/9 with Mayet (117) and Cook (45) the top run scorers.

For the Badgers, Alder (3/46), Banele Cele (2/34) and Nipho Mpongose (2/58) were the most successful bowlers. The Badgers were at 39/0 in their first innings at stumps on the third day.