A brilliant third-wicket partnership of 195 runs between Blayde Capell and captain Jean du Plessis steered the Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers to a 30-run victory against the Northern Cape Heat at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn on Thursday, 12 October.
The Badgers ended their campaign for this competition on a high note but finished fourth on the log, although they will not reach the final to defend their title. The Knights, SA Emerging XI, and Easterns finished ahead of the Badgers.
Capell was in sublime form, hitting 127 runs from 117 balls (including 1 six and 15 fours), while du Plessis scored a classic century with 112 runs from 107 balls (including 14 fours), enabling the Badgers to reach a record innings total of 344/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Kelly Smuts made 23 runs from 16 balls, and Jarred Jardine contributed 22 runs from 11 balls. Basheer Walters (3/84 in 10 overs) and Johan van Dyk (3/50 in 10 overs) each took three wickets.
The innings total of 344/9 is the Garden Route Badgers’ highest one-day total, surpassing their previous record of 309-6 against Eastern Province at Oudtshoorn in 2012. The 195-run third-wicket partnership between Capell and du Plessis is also a record for the team, beating the previous record of 145* by Niel Hornbuckle and Andrea Agathangelou against Namibia at Oudtshoorn in 2017.
Despite a brave fight from the Northern Cape Heat, with notable contributions from Grant Thomson (46 runs from 52 balls, including 6 fours), Ernest Kemm (41 runs from 52 balls, including 6 fours), and Jason Oakes (99 runs from 95 balls, including 3 sixes and 6 fours), the men from Kimberley were restricted to 314/9 after 50 overs. Marcello Piedt (3/67 in 10 overs) and Jarred Jardine (3/56 in 10 overs) were the standout bowlers for the Badgers.
Capell and Du Plessis secure victory for Badgers
Blayde Capell that scored 127 runs from 117 balls. Photo: Supplied