Paul James raises his bat – photo courtesy Mr Pietie Loubser
Monday 24 October 2022: The report on WBHS 1st XI vs Bishops, as published in the Cape Argus – re-published, with permission of and credit to, Mogamat Goosain Abrahams.
Wynberg scored a comprehensive 88 run victory over the home side Bishops after winning the toss and batting first. It was a stellar performance by Paul James, 15-year-old Wynberg opening batsman that was the highlight of their game. He scored a hundred (107) at almost a run-a-ball (110) and was largely responsible for Wynberg posting a formidable 293/9 in their allotted 50 overs. His innings which included 11 fours and 2 sixes was punctuated by fluent drives on either side of the wicket. He displayed great application and maturity beyond his years as he paced his innings, adapting well to the slower pitch. Together with left-hander Kyle Williams (41) they put on 106 for the second wicket which laid the foundation for their innings. Thomas Jacobs was the pick of the Bishops attack with 3/60. A worrying feature for the Bishops attack was the number of extras (43) conceded.
At their turn to bat Bishops lost an early wicket when quick Cullan Larkin struck to dismiss opener Abel Mokwena (7) with only 15 runs on the board. However Kashief Joseph (54) (9 x 4,67 b) and an aggressive knock by Fayyaad Domingo (44) (6 x 4, 2 x 6, 41 b) put on 91 for the second wicket to resurrect the innings. They were both dismissed by the wiley Naas Beets in quick succession and from a solid 115/1 the Bishops batting lineup capitulated and they were soon 176/9. It was only some lusty hitting by tail-ender Abdullah Adams (30*), which included three sixes, that saw them pass 200 as the innings closed on 207. Beets was the most successful of the Wynberg bowlers with 4/35. He bowled his left-arm spinners with great control and found the slower wicket to his liking. Together with captain Juan James (2/39) who bowled his ten overs on the trot with his ‘‘offies‘’ they kept a tight rein on the Bishops scoring rate.
