THE defending champions WHS Old Boys and Wanderers meet in a top of the log clash at the WHS field on Saturday, in a match that could have a significant impact on this season’s 50-over Premier League title race.
The two teams have already opened up a big gap on the rest of the field, with Old Boys leading the log on 37 points and Wanderers one point behind, while Trustco United (19) and CCD Tigers (18) trail in third and fourth positions respectively, with Mr 24/7 Welwitschias bottom of the log on six points.
Wanderers have dominated Namibian cricket over the past decade, winning the Premier League title seven times over the past 10 years, but Old Boys have started to threaten their hegemony with two league titles over the past four years.
That included a six-wicket victory in last season’s final in March, when they restricted Wanderers to 170 all out with veteran Craig Williams taking four wickets for 24 runs and then reached the target for the loss of four wickets, with Zane Green scoring 103 not out.
So far this season both teams have been in great form with Old Boys beating United by nine wickets and CCD Tigers by 10 wickets, while Wanderers beat United by seven wickets and Mr 24/7 Welwitschia by eight wickets.
Old Boys’ bowlers have mainly been responsible for their victories after dismissing their opponents for low scores, while their batsmen have not really been tested yet.
They dismissed United for only 60 with Craig Williams taking three wickets for four runs and Zhivago Groenewald 3/12, while they dismissed CCD for 108 after a great spell by captain Gerhard Erasmus who took 8/39 off 10 overs.
In that match openers Zane Green with 52 not out and Wimpie Viljoen with 54 not out took them to a commanding victory, but they have several more quality batsmen to call upon like Erasmus, Craig Williams, Riaan Minnie, Malan Kruger and Gerhard Janse van Rensburg.
Tangeni Lungameni is back from injury to lead their bowling attack, along with Williams, Melrich Robyn and Mauritius Ngupita, but they will be missing Ruben Trumpelmann, who is away for the weekend and Zhivago Groenewald who has once again injured his knee, which previously kept him out for a long spell.
Old Boys captain Gerhard Erasmus said he expected an even contest.
Ït will be a nice challenge between the two clubs that have proved to be the best in Namibian cricket over the past 10 years. Wanderers have a lot of quality players and with JJ Smit back alongside Bernard Scholtz they probably have the stronger bowling attack, while I’d say we have the better batsmen, but I think it will be an even contest,” he said.
Wanderers’ bowlers have also been responsible for their early season victories so far, with medium pacer Karl Birkenstock and off spinner Bernard Scholtz leading the way.
In their eight-wicket victory against Mr 24/7 Welwitschia both bowlers took five wickets for nine runs, while Birkenstock took 5/30 and Scholtz 3/32 in their seven-wicket victory against United.
Their bowling department has been further strengthened by the arrival of Dewald Nell and Danie van Schoor from United, while JJ Smit has returned from injury.
Amongst the batsmen they have national stars like Niko Davin, JP Kotze, Michau du Preez and Jan Frylink to call upon.
It should be a close contest, while the WHS pitch could also play a role, according to Erasmus:
“We like playing on our field, we are used to it, but I think the other teams struggle there. It has a bit of an uneven bounce and will definitely benefit the bowlers,” he said.
In the weekend’s other match, Trustco United host CCD Tigers at Trustco United Park.
Each team only has one victory so far – against bottom of the log Mr 24/7 Welwitschia – and victory will be imperative for either side if they hope to stay in touch with the leaders.
Saturday’s 50-over matches are scheduled to start at 09h30, while the same sides will be in action in the T20 series at the same venues on Sunday.
