Schools SA20: Morteza Manack Stars on Opening Day with Bat and Ball

The Schools SA20 kicked off with thrilling performances, headlined by St David’s Morteza Manack, who starred with both bat and ball. His unbeaten 55 off 29 balls and 3/15 secured a 13-run (D/L method) victory over the CSA HUB Invitational XI. St Andrew’s School and Hoërskool Garsfontein also claimed wins in rain-affected matches. The action continues with the girls’ fixtures set to begin on Thursday.

Scorecard

St David’s Marist 173/3 (20 overs) – Morteza Manack 55*, Armaan Manack 45; Enathi Kitshini 2/33
CSA HUB Invitational XI 119/4 (16.1 overs, D/L method) – Tshepang Laka 48*, Paul Matlala 33*; Morteza Manack 3/15
St David’s won by 13 runs (D/L method)

St Andrew’s School 162/7 (20 overs) – Naudé Botha 45, Johnathan Hickley 28; Jordan Matthews 3/20
Northwood 93/6 (16.3 overs, D/L method) – Tuswa Phetha 31; Heindré Serfontein 1/5
St Andrew’s won by 37 runs (D/L method)

Graeme College 141/5 (20 overs) – Corbin Tidbury 52, Luphelo Mdyesha 28; Echard Struwig 2/27
Garsfontein 144/5 (17.1 overs) – Reuben van Zyl 37, Charl van Staden 29

Garsfontein won by 5 wickets

The Schools SA20 Final Showdown got off to a thrilling start at the University of Pretoria (Tuks) as St David’s Marist Inanda, St Andrew’s School, and Hoërskool Garsfontein kicked off their campaigns with dominant performances. The opening day saw intense battles, exceptional individual displays, and rain-induced drama that brought the Duckworth/Lewis method into play.

One name stood above the rest Morteza Manack. The St David’s all-rounder was in sublime form, delivering a match-winning performance with both bat and ball. His heroics earned him the coveted Player of the Day award and the distinctive red cap, marking him as the standout player of the tournament’s opening day.

St David’s Triumphs with Morteza Manack’s Masterclass

St David’s took on Cricket South Africa’s HUB Invitational XI in a match that showcased the team’s batting depth and bowling precision. Batting first, they put up an imposing total of 173/3 in 20 overs, with the Manack brothers leading the charge. Morteza remained unbeaten on 55 off just 29 balls, smashing five boundaries and three sixes. His brother, Armaan Manack, also played a crucial role with a solid 45. The duo, along with Kamogelo Phiri’s steady 26, ensured their side set a challenging target.

The CSA HUB Invitational XI fought back valiantly, reaching 119/4 in 16.1 overs before the match was curtailed due to lightning and rain. At the time, Tshepang Laka (48*) and Paul Matlala (33*) were in the middle of an impressive 77-run stand. However, Morteza was just as lethal with the ball, dismantling the opposition’s top order with figures of 3/15, further cementing his impact on the game.

With the match decided by the Duckworth/Lewis method, St David’s walked away with a 13-run victory, a result that showcased their all-round prowess.

St Andrew’s Dominates Despite Rain Disruption

In another rain-affected encounter, St Andrew’s School from Bloemfontein secured a commanding 37-run victory over Northwood School. Opting to bat first, they posted a respectable 162/7, thanks to an excellent knock from Naudé Botha, who top-scored with 45. Contributions from Johnathan Hickley (28) and Johan Liebenberg (25) further bolstered the total, while Jordan Matthews (3/20) was the pick of the Northwood bowlers.

Northwood’s chase was off to a shaky start, and despite a fighting effort from Tuswa Phetha (31), they found themselves struggling at 93/6 before rain intervened. With 21 deliveries still to be bowled, the D/L method came into effect, handing St Andrew’s a comfortable victory.

Garsfontein Seals a Convincing Win

Hoërskool Garsfontein also made a strong start to their campaign, defeating Graeme College by five wickets. Chasing 142, their openers Reuben van Zyl (37) and Charl van Staden (29) put on a dominant 69-run stand in the powerplay, setting the tone for a successful chase. Despite Graeme College’s Corbin Tidbury scoring a brilliant 52, their total of 141/5 proved insufficient against Garsies' strong batting lineup.

Echard Struwig’s disciplined bowling (2/27) was another highlight of the match, ensuring Garsfontein restricted Graeme College to a chaseable score. They crossed the line in the 18th over, securing a well-earned victory.

The Road Ahead

With the boys’ opening matches setting the tone for an exhilarating tournament, attention now shifts to the girls’ fixtures, which begin on Thursday. The action promises to be just as intense, with matches set to start at 09h00 and available for live streaming on the SuperSport Schools app, DStv Channel 216, and SABC Plus.