Scholtz to the rescue

Captain Nicolaas Scholtz once again came to Namibia’s rescue with a great century, as he guided them to 269 all out against North West on Thursday. At stumps on the first day of their three day CSA match North West had reached 41 without loss in reply.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Namibia were in deep trouble when they lost their first five wickets for only 30 runs, while they were seven down for 91 runs.

Scholtz, who hit 99 not out against Eastern Province last Sunday, and his brother Bernard Scholtz however came to the rescue with a century partnership for the eighth wicket.

Bernard was dismissed shortly after tea for 58, but Nicolaas reached a well deserved century and was eventually last man out for 116.

As has often been the case so far this season, Namibia’s innings got off to a poor start as Xander Pitchers was caught behind for a duck off only the second ball of the innings.

Things got worse as Stephan Baard (11), Sarel Burger (3), Gerhard Erasmus (1) and Raymond van Schoor (8) all lost their wickets cheaply as Namibia crashed to 30 for five wickets.

Nicolaas Scholtz started Namibia’s revival with Michau du Preez, putting on 38 runs for the sixth wicket before Du Preez was out for 15 with the total on 68.

JJ Smit scored a rapid 13 off 15 balls but when he was dismissed, Namibia were in big trouble at 91 for seven wickets.

Bernard Scholtz joined Nicolaas and the two started to repair the damage with a fine partnership.

Nicolaas brought his 50 up, sweeping a boundary off spinner Bjorn Fortuin, and when Bernard brought his 50 up in similar style off Brad Pelser, the score had moved on to 184 for seven wickets.

Bernard was however dismissed shortly after tea for 59 runs with the total on 198.

Ricardo Strauss continued Namibia’s revival as he shared a stand of 64 runs for the ninth wicket with Scholtz before being dismissed for 24.

Scholtz was eventually last man out for 116 which came off 209 balls and included 18 fours.

Vusumuzi Mazibuko was North West’s best bowler, taking 3/19 off 11,1 overs, while Cliffe Deacon took 3/40 off 16 overs.

North West made a positive start and at stumps had reached 41 without loss off 10 overs with Grant Mokoena not out on 29 and Kagiso Rapulana not out on 12.