In Game 4 of the Eastern Storm Veterans Cricket 2025 League, Elsburg Eagles 2 put on a clinical display to beat Duduza Wild Dogs by 3 wickets in a match dominated by early wickets, aggressive recovery batting, and disciplined bowling. Player of the Match Danie Van Der Walt starred with a three-wicket haul and a brisk 32-run knock to secure the Eagles' the victory in the opening day of the season in style.
First Innings – Duduza Wild Dogs Stumble Despite Fani’s Lone Resistance
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Duduza Wild Dogs endured a nightmarish start, collapsing to 16/5 within just three overs. Pieter Willem Nel and Danie Van Der Walt tore through the top order, each claiming three wickets with sharp, accurate seam bowling. Nel’s final figures of 3/18 and Van Der Walt’s 3/13 in five miserly overs immediately put the hosts on the back foot.
While wickets tumbled at one end, captain Vusumzi Fani mounted a lone resistance, crafting a fighting 45 off 65 balls, including seven boundaries. He shared valuable partnerships with tailenders Christopher Masina and Gcina Nelson to drag Duduza to a semi-respectable 139 all out in 28.5 overs. Extras, contributing a massive 49 runs (37 wides and 7 no-balls), proved to be the second-highest scorer in the innings – a statistic that highlighted Elsburg’s erratic bowling despite their overall dominance.
The bowling attack was well-rotated by Elsburg, with Sias Vermaak (1/13) and Christopher De Jager (1/15) supporting the frontline effectively, though extras were a persistent issue across the innings.
Danie Van Der Walt earned a man of match for his crucial 3 wickets for 13 runs in his 5 overs, and scoring 32 runs from 22 deliveries with the bat.
Second Innings – Elsburg Survive Early Jitters in Confident Chase
Chasing 140 for victory, Elsburg Eagles Team 2 began with explosive intent. Cyril Harmse hammered 22 off just 8 balls, striking three boundaries and a six in a flurry, but was caught off Masina in the third over. Masina (2/21) and Douglas Vusimuzi Sibali (1/53) threatened briefly, reducing the visitors to 35/2, and then 63/3 as Sias Vermaak fell cheaply.
However, Danie Van Der Walt once again turned the tide, blasting 32 off 22 balls in a quickfire partnership with Thys Pretoruis (25 off 30). Their 49-run stand broke the back of the chase, with Van Der Walt dispatching seven boundaries before being bowled by Ncamile Jacob (1/36). Trevor Wild (2/24) then sparked hope with two wickets in quick succession, but Dean Vanderwalt held firm with an unbeaten 22 off 18 balls, sealing the win in the 18th over.
Despite a spirited effort from Duduza’s 2nd and 3rd change bowlers and some late wickets, the modest target was never enough, with Elsburg reaching 142/7 in just 17.1 overs.
Key Performances:
• Danie Van Der Walt (Elsburg Eagles Team 2): 5.0-0-13-3 & 32 (22 balls), 7 fours – match-winning all-round display; Player of the Match
• Pieter Willem Nel (Elsburg Eagles Team 2): 5.0-0-18-3 – fiery opening spell destroyed Duduza’s top order
• Vusumzi Fani (Duduza Wild Dogs): 45 (65 balls), 7 fours – valiant lone effort with the bat
• Dean Vanderwalt (Elsburg Eagles Team 2): 22* (18 balls), 2 fours, 2 sixes – composed finisher
• Christopher Masina (Duduza Wild Dogs): 5.0-1-21-2 – best of the bowlers in a tough defense
Duduza Wild Dogs Innings Scorecard.
Elsburg Eagles 2 Innings Scorecard.