Botswana suffer damaging cricket defeat
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday April 12, 2017 15:28
Unbeaten in two matches before the crashing Monday defeat, Botswana had appeared on course for promotion to the World Cricket League Championship.
However, Ghana had other ideas after inserting Botswana to bat on what is traditionally a slow, bowler friendly, Sahara Park Willowmoore pitch.
Botswana were soon in a spin and crumbled to 154 all out in their allotted 50 overs, losing their last six wickets for just 51 runs.
Ghana’s Vincent Ateak and Isaac Aboagye were the destroyers in chief, snaring 3 for 23 (10 overs) and 3 for 27 (7.2 overs) respectively.
A knock of 75 not out from 98 deliveries from Simon Ateak, that included 6 fours and a six ensured Ghana remained on top of the standings going into Tuesday’s play.
Ghana eased to victory, surpassing the target with a massive 92 balls to spare for a crushing win.
Botswana have several key players, with fast bowler, Thatayaone Tshose who had a stint in England last year, to turn their campaign around.
His experience, at a tender age of 20, should carry the nation through, as they faced Sierra Leone yesterday.
Six countries; Botswana, Ghana, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Zambia are battling for the two slots in the World Cricket League Championship. Ghana appears a safe bet for the first slot, with focus now shifting on who will join the West Africans.