Rhinos’ Cook shines against NC Heat at Witrivier Oval
Mpumalanga Rhinos middle order batsman Yassar Cook had a terrific time at the crease on day one of their 4-Day CSA sanctioned match against Northern Cape Heat at the Uplands College oval in Witrivier on Thursday, knocking 125 runs off 160 deliveries by afternoon tea.
The hosting Mpumalanga Rhinos had won the toss and shunted NC Heat into the field. NC Heat had gone away to tackle the Rhinos in what is their second game of the current series where they are the defending champions.
The hosts went to the tea break with 232/4 on the board. NC Heat had claimed their first scalp in Rhinos opener Tumi Koto who was out for a duck after facing two balls. Koto was caught behind by Hanu Viljoen off Grant Thompson’s second delivery.
Blake Schraader was next to follow Koto as Thompson struck again in the seventh over in what was a virtual replay of the first wicket. Schraader had a paltry three runs off 23 deliveries to show for his time in the middle.
Mohammed Mayet made a stand to stop the rot somewhat when he had a 19 run knock off 51 deliveries by the time tea came around. He was in the middle partnering the big hitting Yassar Cook who, by all accounts, was having a good time giving stick to the visiting NC Heat side. Cook eventually notched up 135 runs off 166 deliveries which included 22 boundaries and a six.
Benjamin van Niekerk was not out with a commendable 66 off 147 deliveries with three boundaries and three sixes to his credit.
The Northern Cape bowlers Thompson and Johan van Dyk each claimed two wickets each during their identical 11-over stints. Van Dyk had the more economical overs with three maiden overs for 39 runs as against a single maiden over for Thompson for 40 runs.
NC Heat strike bowler Andrew Rasemene had managed to put in an 11-over stint as well during which he had a single maiden over and conceded 56 runs.
The match continues in Mpumalanga on Friday until Sunday. The match is streamed live on SuperSport’s YouTube livestream.
