Alan Dawson smashed an unbeaten 69 from just 35 balls with captain Dave Callaghan and fellow Eastern Cape batsman Dave Duncan contributing half-centuries as South Africa’s Veterans opened their Evergreen Lifestyle Over-50s World Cup campaign with a thumping 193-run victory against minnows Wales at Cape Town Cricket Club on Wednesday.
South Africa’s total of 253-5 was a long way over par on a slow scoring ground and the Welshmen were quickly despatched for just 60 in 23.1 overs.
Dawson struck three fours and six sixes with a staggering 48 runs coming from the last 11 balls he faced with leg spinner Iwan Rees bearing the brunt of the assault conceding 28 from the penultimate over of the innings.
The former WP and Proteas all-rounder who played two Tests and 19 ODIs and was part of the 1999 World Cup squad has not played any cricket for 10 years until this season but looked almost as good as did when he retired from first-class cricket 13 years ago.
Duncan (57) and former Protea Callaghan (52) laid a steady platform in the middle overs on a typically slow, end-of-season pitch following a bright start from Warne Rippon (33 from 27 balls) and Mlungisi ‘Lefty’ Ngece (24 from 28).
56-year-old leg-spinner Bruce ‘Cooky’ Wilson, at 56 the oldest player in the squad, bowled with immaculate control to take 4-9 after giant Rodney Malamba (2-16) had struck twice with the new ball. Border stalwart Ngece (2-6) finished the match with his left arm spinners.
Mlungisi "Lefty" Ngece of the Protea Veterans in action against Wales in the Over 50s World Cup. Photo: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency(ANA)
The only bad news for the home side was a strained calf muscle for another former Protea, opening batsman Louis Koen, which forced him to retire hurt.
The SA Veterans’ next match is against England at Rondebosch Boys High on Friday.
** In other matches today England thrashed India by 8-wickets, New Zealand beat the West Indies by 36 runs, Pakistan beat Namibia by 177 runs, defending champions Australia were too strong for Zimbabwe prevailing by seven wickets and Canada caused an upset with a 5- wicket win against Sri Lanka.
All the fixtures and tournament details can be found on the Veterans Cricket Association of SA website: www.vcasa.co.za
Pool A: Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Canada
Pool B: England, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Wales, Namibia.
SA Over 50s Squad:
Dave Callaghan (Captain), Louis Koen, Alan Dawson, Pieter Strydom, Kenny Jackson, Dave Holgate, Anwell Newman, Neil Fusedale, Rodney Malamba, Mlungisi ‘Lefty’ Ngece, Dave Duncan, Bruce Wilson, Warne Rippon, Brad Player, Nazeem White and Henry Williams.
Coach: Allan Donald
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