PLETTENBERG BAY CRICKET NEWS - Two cricketers from Plettenberg Bay Pioneers Cricket Club had the honour of representing their country in two tour matches against England in Paarl last weekend.
Jean du Plessis and Stephan Tait, who both play club cricket for Pioneers in the SWD Cricket Premier League, were selected as part of the Cricket South Africa Invitational XI that took on England on 31 January and 1 February.
The two games acted as warm-ups for England in the build-up to their three-match ODI series against the Proteas.
Du Plessis, who played club cricket for Madibaz George prior to their suspension, was not only selected for the side but also named captain for the two fixtures.
The first of the two matches at Boland Park in Paarl got under way on 31 January, with England winning the toss and electing to bat. The game would get off to a dream start for the South African side as Tait claimed the key wickets of Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root within the first over of the innings to leave the tourists reeling at 5-2.
These would be his only wickets of the game, as he bagged figures of two for 32 in his eight overs.
Jean du Plessis in action against England. Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images (Supplied by SWD Cricket)
Despite impressive bowling by the young Invitational XI, a terrific innings by English opener Jason Roy (104) coupled with handy cameos by Chris Woakes (38) and Joe Denly (29) helped England make their way to 240 all out. Even though he is not one who bowls, skipper Du Plessis still made an impact in the field by grabbing two catches.
He would contribute 28 with the bat during the run chase, but England's bowlers proved too strong as the Invitational XI was bowled out for 163, handing England a 77-run victory.
England fared far better with bat in hand in the second game the following day, with Bairstow this time reaching 100 before retiring. Tait was once again impressive with ball in hand for South Africa, this time bagging four wickets for 56 runs in his 10 overs.
Tait seemed to have had Root's number, as he once again dismissed the England captain (this time for 91), while also bagging the key wickets of Dawid Malan, Sam Curran, and in-form Woakes. England would reach 346-7 in their allotted 50 overs, and skipper Du Plessis once again grabbed two catches for his side.
Jean du Plessis, SWD coach Baakier Abrahams (member of the Inv XI coaching staff), and Stephan Tait.
The Invitational XI had their innings reduced to 30 overs due to rain, with a revised target of 188 to win. The side put on a much-improved batting performance, and despite Du Plessis (12) being unable to kick-off with bat in hand, key innings from Kabelo Sekhukhune (54) and Jacques Snyman (38) helped the home side over the line.
Andile Mokgakane would score the winning runs to steer the Invitational XI to a four-wicket win over the England side.
'We bring you the latest Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route news'
