Mpumalanga Rhinos Colts show Impalas Colts their horns | Lowvelder

Shane Dadswell stood out for the Mpumalanga Rhinos Colts as they took down the Limpopo Impalas Colts in three-day and one-day matches between November 21 and 24.

The two Colts teams battled it out at Hoërskool Nelspruit, with the three-day match starting on Thursday, November 21. The Rhinos batted first, arguably getting the best out of the pitch for batters. They did, however, struggle to make the best of it in the opening stages as the home side fell to 50-5.

However, a 164-run partnership between Shane Dadswell (127) and Kyle Klesse (46) revived the Rhinos’ innings and helped them reach 284 all-out after 72.2 overs.

The Impalas’ top order had to survive 18 overs at the end of day one, and did so to stand on 44-2 come stumps.
The Impalas batted at a decent rate themselves on day two, reaching 278-8 by tea break.

The rest of the day would be rained out, with no more play possible. The Limpopo outfit declared on that score, which meant that the Rhinos held a six-run lead when the third and final day started. The Rhinos were determined to try and get a result from the match and scored at a good rate to try and ensure this was possible.

Opener Zuan Swart scored a measured 78 off 128 balls to keep things steady at the top order, while Dadswell once again went big to score 80 off 41 balls to breathe some fire into the Rhinos’ cause. They declared on 257-8, setting the Impalas a target of 263.

With only a session and a half to have a crack at bowling out the Impalas, the Rhinos were determined with ball in hand. Nonelela Yikha was brilliant in the second innings for the Rhinos, bagging six wickets for 77 runs in 19 overs. Wickets from Dadswell, Junior Makua and Akhulile Mkatu bolstered the Rhinos’ effort and they were able to secure a 117-run victory.

The one-day game was played at Hoërskool Nelspruit on Sunday, and the Rhinos batted first once more. Luco van der Walt shone for the Mpumalanga boys, scoring 73 off 56, while half-centuries from Dadswell (58) and Zakir Kathrada (59) helped the Rhinos reach 329 all-out.

Van der Walt was brilliant with the ball too, taking three wickets for only 18 runs in six overs. Swart took two wickets and Dadswell, Yikha and Mkatu all claimed one wicket each. The Impalas could only reach 261-8 in their 50 overs, which meant the Rhinos mustered a 68-run win to make it a perfect week.