Erasmus, JJ Smit and Loftie-Eaton put on batting displays

Samsung Imperial Wanderers’ first team had the last say in their final group match of Cricket Namibia’s T20 Premier League match on Saturday, beating WHS Old Boys by 44 runs at Wanderers field.This result put Wanderers as the defending champions firmly as the favourites in yesterday afternoon’s final against the same opponent. However, Old Boys are never to be counted out, as they won five of their six T20 league matches, while Wanderers’ only loss came in their last outing against Old Boys.On Saturday, Wanderers batted first with JC Balt scoring 46 runs from 45 balls, while Niko Davin contributed 35 (27 b) to their opening partnership of 57 in 8 overs. JJ Smit, walking in at bnumber three, then smashed 85 not out from 41 balls. In the process Smit steered nine sixes and three fours to the boundary, which propelled Wanderers to 185 for three on the score board after their 20 overs.In Old Boys’ reply, everything went wrong from the first delivery by Nyasha Nyashadzaishe to JP Kotzé. Kotzé, dismissed for a duck with a catch taken by Niko Davin, was followed by another potential big gun Zane Green (0) with the second delivery. The visitors, already under immense pressure, then lost Shaun Fouché in the second over when Karl Birkenstock bowled him for 5 runs. With three wickets down for 11 runs, Old Boys was indeed in deep waters.Although opener Gerhard Erasmus dug his heels in to keep Old Boys in the contest by knocking 61 runs from 27 balls, he and the youngster Zacheo Janse van Vuuren (38 off 35 balls) had little support from their fellow batters. Erasmus’ dismissal, caught by Karl Birkenstock off Danie van Schoor, was a crucial moment as Old Boys finished on 141 all out in 19.4 overs.For the home side, Dewald Nell, Danie van Schoor and Nyashadzaishe each claimed two wickets.Loftie-Eaton punishes UnitedIn the second encounter of the day, CCD Tigers beat Trustco United by a whopping 153 runs to claim their first victory of the competition. Both teams conclude their campaign on 4 log points, while Old Boys (first) and Wanderers (second) finished on 20 points each.The highlight of the match was most certainly Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s century scored from just 39 deliveries. The CCD captain ended on 113 from 45 balls to end his team’s innings on 233/2 after 20 overs. Loftie-Eaton hammered 8 fours and 9 sixes for his perfect innings. Joshuan Julius showcased his talent with 82 not out (53 b, 7x4, 5x6) alongside Loftie-Eaton.United was then knocked over for 83 all out in 16.33 overs, with Dickson Vambe (13), Henry Hayes (27 off 27 balls, 3x6) and Hendrik van der Walt (12) providing just brief resistance.Tawanda Sithole (3/15 in 3), Takunda Matibe (2/17 in 3) and Albert Mbwembe (2/7 in 2.3) took wickets for Tigers. – tielman@republikein.com.na

Erasmus, JJ Smit and Loftie-Eaton put on batting displays

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-24

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Erasmus, JJ Smit and Loftie-Eaton put on batting displays

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-24

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