Badgers end season on a high

KNYSNA CRICKET NEWS – Tazmin Brits was in red hot form for the Garden Route Badgers once again last weekend.

With brilliant scores of 98 and 82* in the 50-over and T20 matches against the Dolphins, she helped steer her side to a phenomenal end to the 2022/23 season.

The Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers ladies were chomping at the bit ahead of their two clashes with the Dolphins last weekend, hot off a double victory against the Titans the weekend prior. While the Badgers were simply hoping to end the season on a high and claim third spot in both the 50-over and T20 competitions, there was a lot on the line for the Dolphins.

The KwaZulu-Natal outfit still stood a chance of claiming the title in the CSA Women's Provincial One Day Cup, albeit a slim one.

They would need to earn a bonus point victory over the Badgers and hope that Western Province lose their clash with the Lions. Playing for a fair amount of pride and bragging rights, the Badgers hosted the Dolphins at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn for the 50-over game on Saturday 1 April and the T20 on Sunday 2 April.

Dominant one-day showing
The home side had the luxury of batting first and setting the tone in Saturday's 50-over encounter. Brits was the perfect conduit for setting the tone as she put on a masterclass display. An opening stand of 77 got the innings going with Brits receiving help from batting partner Amber Botha who was dismissed for 22.

Some swift stroke-making saw Brits dispatch the Dolphins bowlers to all parts of the Recreation Ground on her way to 98 before she was dismissed just two runs short of a second consecutive 50-over century.

Micaela Andrews contributed with a further 27 runs as the Badgers reached 225-8 in 50 overs. In-form Badgers bowler Jané Winster shone in their defence of the total, claiming four wickets for only 25 runs in 10 overs as the Dolphins were bowled out for 170, handing the Badgers a 55-run triumph.

The Badgers' win secured them third place in the Garden Route franchise's first season in the CSA Women's Provincial One Day Cup, dashing the Dolphins' title hopes.

Tight T20 challenge
Come Sunday the Badgers were riding their high and hoping for one more top result as they lined up against the Dolphins for the T20 match.

Batting first this time, the Dolphins were in trouble at 7-2 before clawing their way back into the game to reach 127-6 in 20 overs. Pelokazi Majambe starred with the ball for the Badgers, taking three wickets for 35 runs in her four overs.

The star of the match was yet to come though, as Brits single-handedly took control of the run chase and led the Badgers' charge.

With small cameos here and there from her teammates, Brits fired her way to 82* off 50 balls and ensured the home team crossed the line victoriously, securing a six-wicket victory with only one ball to spare.

Needing no less than 13 to win off the final over, Brits dispatched Chandre Pather for a four off the third ball and a six off the fourth, before securing victory with runs off the fifth ball of the final over. As with the 50-over cup, the victory sees the Badgers finish third in the CSA Women's Provincial T20 Cup in their first season.

The Garden Route Badgers women's team, photographed this season. Photo: SWD Cricket