Botswana: National Sixes title to Gaberone in season opener

The Phikwe National Sixes was held over the weekend of March 16-17 in the eastern mining town of Selebi-Phikwe, a convenient stop over for travellers from Johannesburg to Botswana's northern tourist attractions.

Although several teams dropped out, Jwaneng, Francistown Sports and Recreation Club, Nyangagbwe, Gaborone and Palapye managed to send teams to compete with the three Phikwe teams.

The rules are that five bowlers each bowl one eight ball over, and that a batsman must retire at 20. Otherwise, usual rules apply.

Last year's winners, Gabs (1), were seeded 1, with last year's runners up, Phikwe (1), seeded 2.

The opening game between Phikwe (1) and Phikwe (3) saw Phikwe (1) through to the first round proper, where they played Nyangagbwe.

Nyangagbwe scored 60-1 in their five overs with Clement Michael their only batsman to reach 20 not out. Phikwe reached the target with six balls left, and one wicket down. Peter Revans reached 20 not out.

Gabs (2) played Francistown Sports & Recreation in their first game, and restricted them to 47-4, including two run outs and two catches. Gaborone cruised to their target without loss, needing 3.1 overs. Ram Jandhyalya hit 22 not out and Srimal was unbeaten on 18.

Phikwe (2) batted first against Jwaneng and hit 80 for 1, Reggie reaching 20 not out and Farook 21 not out. In reply Jwaneng could only manage 60 for 3.

Gabs (1) beat Palapye by 20 runs in their game.

In the Plate competition, Phikwe (3) hit the hapless Palapye for 77 all out, with Shakib being allowed to bat a second time, scoring 23* and 7*. In reply Palapye only managed 41.

The next morning Nyangagbwe played Phikwe (3) in the first Plate semi final, and scored 54 for 4, with Clement getting 21*. In reply, Phikwe fell just short, with 53 for 3.

In the other Plate semi, Jwaneng batted first against Francistown R&S, and only managed 34 all out, with Stoffel Mouton contributing half of those. Francistown then knocked them off without loss, with the help of 11 wides!

In the second round Phikwe (1) hit 60 for 1 against Gabs (2), with Peter Revans getting to 20*, and Andy Norris 19*. Much to the hosts disgust, Gabs (2) scraped through with two balls left, with Walter Crossland and Aqlaq Raja both scoring unbeaten 21s.

At the other end of the table, Gabs (1) played Phikwe (2). Phikwe (2) got to 72, with Craig Britz scoring 20*, and Farook out for 18. Gabs (1) set off slowly, taking only 8 off the first over, but then accelerated to reach the target in just 4 overs, with both Tshepo and Jay reaching 20 not out.

In the all Francistown Plate final, Nyangagbwe set a good target by reaching 72 all out, with Clement scoring 23* and Raju 18*. In reply Francistown started well, if a little slowly, with both Abbib and Said getting to 20*, but then the wheels fell off, and they finished on 58 for 1.

In the all Gaborone final (the first time in the life of the tournament that Phikwe have not featured in the final) Gabs (1) batted first and put on a credible 79 for 3, with Jay getting 21* and Phillip being run out on 20. Gabs (2) then chased hard, and were left with 12 to get from the last over. They only got 11 of them, but because they had lost only 2 wickets, went through as winners of the tournament.

It was a good tournament, enjoyed by all those taking part, as well as by the smattering of spectators. The best batsman award was given to Clement Michael of Nyangagbwe; the best bowler was Gary Wilson of Phikwe, and the best fielder was Aqlaq Raja of Gaborone. Walter Crosland was judged the best allrounder. The recipient of the worst umpiring decision went to Eddie Titus, and the best spectacle - i.e. the worst dropped catch went to Angus Dunlop, the organiser of the whole thing!