In a dramatic curtain-raiser to the Eastern Storm Veterans Cricket 2025 League, defending champions CBC Crusaders edged past Alberton Strikers by a razor-thin margin of 4 runs in a low-scoring yet gripping encounter that swung both ways until the final over.
First Innings — CBC Crusaders Bat First
After winning the toss and opting to bat, CBC Crusaders came out with positive intent. Openers Andre Johnson (27 off 28) and Johan Fourie got them off to a steady start, adding 25 before Fourie departed. Pieter Booysen (30 off 35) anchored the innings while Brett Luck (16 off 11) added flair, smashing a six and a four in a quick cameo. However, the middle and lower order faltered under pressure, with wickets falling at regular intervals.
The key bowling performance came from Davian Finnis, who broke the Crusaders’ backbone with an excellent spell of 6-0-31-3. Supported by Travis Paul (2/42) and Deon Koekemoer (2/43), Alberton’s bowlers restricted CBC Crusaders to 158 in 24 overs. The 37 wides contributed to the extras, a costly stat in the context of the final margin. What makes the Eastern Storm Vets league tough with very limited margin for error is that wides and no-balls count as 3 runs.
CBC Crusaders Captain and Proteas O/40's World Cup Winner Johan Fourie kept his nerve in the last over to get his team over the line.
Second Innings — Alberton Strikers' Chase
Chasing 159, Alberton Strikers had a disastrous start. Robert Mutch’s brilliant new-ball spell (6-2-10-3) tore through the top order, including a double strike that had Strikers reeling at 5/2 and then 21/3.
Despite the early collapse, Clive De Villiers (29 off 33) and the aggressive Stefan Langeveldt (Retired on 50 off 46 due to the under 40 rule) rebuilt the innings with resilience. With 48 needed from 36 balls and five wickets in hand, Alberton seemed in control. But a flurry of wickets—sparked by Johan Fourie’s (3/19) clutch death bowling—changed the tide.
In the final over, needing 8 runs with two wickets in hand, Fourie held his nerve. He conceded only 3 runs and took back-to-back wickets to seal a thrilling win. Finnis, despite his efforts with the ball and a late cameo, was bowled with three balls left. Deon Koekemoer followed the very next ball.
Key Performances:
Player of the Match: Davian Finnis — 3 wickets and key field involvement.
Robert Mutch: 6-2-10-3 (bowled unchanged)
Johan Fourie: 3-0-19-3 (including 2 wickets in the final over)
Stefan Langeveldt: 50* off 46, 8 fours and a six
CBC Crusaders Innings Scorecard.
Alberton Srikers Innings Scorecard.