Albie Morkel Inspires Proteas Win Over Masters
South Africa beat the PCA Masters, sponsored by Sodexo, by 23 runs today in an eagerly awaited Twenty20 match at the picturesque Wormsley Cricket Ground, Buckinghamshire. In excess of 2000 spectators and corporate guests poured in to watch the fixture, which precluded the Proteas NatWest International Twenty20 match against England at the Riverside next week.
The day started with a Community Cricket coaching session, sponsored by Sodexo, which saw 80 youngsters from local cricket clubs put through their paces by members of the Masters team, including former England players Vikram Solanki, Nick Knight and Mark Alleyne.
With heavy showers blowing across the ground, credit goes to the groundstaff for enabling play to get underway with just a minor delay. Johan Botha, who captained South Africa for the day, won the toss and elected to bat against a vastly experienced Masters team which included nine former internationals.
The Proteas got off to a flyer, reaching 27 from just three overs before Dougie Brown had Herschelle Gibbs caught by Solanki at mid-wicket. Justin Ontong joined Hashim Amla and the pair added a brisk 54 for the second wicket, before off-spinner Gareth Batty dismissed Amla for 31 from 23 deliveries.
South Africa had plenty of momentum at this stage and although AB de Villiers fell cheaply, Ontong (46) and JP Duminy (30 not out) pushed the score on at a pace. A superb cameo from Albie Morkel, who smashed 35 not out from just 21 deliveries, including three 4's and two 6's, took his side to a highly competitive 181-4 from their 20 overs. Pick of the Masters bowlers was Gareth Batty (1-25) and Dougie Brown (2-32).
The Masters reply stuttered in the beginning, with captain Knight and Solanki both falling cheaply, before a superb third wicket partnership of 75 in just six overs from former Kiwi international Nathan Astle and Worcestershire's Stephen Moore.
Astle fell for 26 but Moore continued blazing the South African attack to all parts, confirming his reputation for a sweet striker of the ball. He eventually fell for 52 from just 33 deliveries and despite sixes struck by Ali Brown and Chris Lewis, the Masters went down fighting to finish just 23 runs short.
Albie Morkel was named man of the match, adding fantastic bowling figures of 3-29 to his innings of 35 not out.
Click here for the full scorecard.
The PCA Masters, sponsored by Sodexo, would like to thank the South African team & backroom staff, Damian Dunlop of Buckinghamshire Cricket Board, BIG Productions and all the staff Wormsley Cricket Ground for making the day possible.
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