Reddy’s Century and Mia’s Hat-Trick Sink BNCC Sabres

In a commanding performance marked by explosive batting and disciplined bowling, Actonville Spurs Veterans defeated BNCC Sabres by 46 runs in Game 2 of the Eastern Storm Veterans Cricket 2025 League. The match, played on a cold winter's morning but under clear skies, delivered entertainment from the outset — with big-hitting brilliance, a stunning century, a dramatic hat-trick, and a spirited chase that ultimately fell short.

First Innings – Actonville Spurs Set the Tone
After losing two wickets in the first two overs for just 6 runs — both to the probing line of Dirk Bloem — Actonville Spurs found themselves on the back foot early. But Mohsin Patel (37 off 33) and Himmat Parbhoo (20 off 19) steadied the ship with a brisk 43-run partnership. Patel’s strokeplay, including five boundaries, revived momentum before his dismissal at 76/4 in the 13th over.

The real fireworks came from Brendon Reddy, who walked in at 49/3 and produced a stunning counter-attack. Displaying a combination of power and timing, Reddy struck 7 sixes and 7 fours in his blistering 101 off just 65 balls, retiring out on the final delivery of the 29th over to a standing ovation. His calculated assault in the final 5 overs added crucial runs, well-supported by Muhammad Wadia (25 off 48) and Mohammad Teladia (14* off 8), lifting Actonville to a formidable 237/6 in 30 overs.

Second Innings – Sabres’ Chase and Collapse
Chasing 238, BNCC Sabres stumbled out of the gate, losing opener Nicolaos Moragemos in the very first over without scoring. A brief recovery followed with Craig Turton and Gavin Ferreira adding some quick runs, but regular wickets meant Sabres were 73/3 after 11 overs.

O/50's Proteas Veteran batter Andre Steyn kept BNCC in the hunt with an elegant 59 off 44 balls, combining with Marius Oosthuizen (40 off 39) for a vital 50-run partnership. At 129/4, the chase was delicately poised with 11 overs remaining and 109 runs to get. But just as BNCC threatened to launch, Actonville’s bowling unit struck decisively.

Captain Rashad Mia turned the game with a remarkable spell, claiming 4 wickets for 25 in 6 overs, including a memorable hat-trick in the 26th over — removing Bruce Allen (lbw), Jan Grobbelaar (bowled), and Dirk Bloem (caught behind) in consecutive deliveries. His efforts dismantled the lower order just as momentum shifted toward Sabres.

JJ Coetzee tried to fight back with a quickfire 30* off 24 balls, but it wasn’t enough. Fittingly, it was Brendon Reddy who returned with the ball to claim the final wicket — capping off a Player of the Match performance with both bat and ball. Sabres were bowled out for 191 in 28 overs, falling 46 runs short.

Key Performances:
Player of the Match: Brendon Reddy (Actonville Spurs): 101* (65 balls), 1 wicket
Rashad Mia: 6-0-25-4, including a hat-trick
Andre Steyn (BNCC): 59 (44 balls) Mohammad Teladia: 6-1-33-2, struck in the first over