After breakfast at a boma it was down to the cricket club and the Lowveld Invitation XI again in intense heat and humidity. The occasional exotic bird flew over the ground, animals and birds called, monkeys played in the trees and robbed the dustbins and warthog raided gardens and stood under local residence sprinklers to cool off- and oh yes strolled around the ground holding up play- a little reminiscent of Tavistock and the ponies and sheep! Devon restricted Lowveld to 129 off their 40 overs with Tom Allin (Bideford) the pick of the bowlers taking 3-18. Devon struggled in the heat before Justin Yau (Torquay) 34 not out and Jack Porter (Barton) 13 not out put on 59 for the 9 th wicket, a very mature partnership in extreme conditions, defending stoutly, taking the singles and the occasional boundary, to see Devon home by 2 wickets.
Early the next morning via the impressive new Mpumalanga airport Devon flew to Joburg and then to Cape Town for the second leg of their tour.
On our first full day in the Mother City, a cool 30 degrees, Devon impressively dressed in their blue and yellow one-day clothing, played a day/ night match against a Western Province XI at Milnerton Cricket Club. It was clear the lights, which were not of the stature of those at Newlands and might be insufficient, that it was an important to win the toss. Needless to say Devon lost the toss and WP batted. With accurate bowling and outstanding fielding, Devon bowled WP out for 107, Ross Acton (Bradninch) 4-15 the best of the bowlers. A lengthy delay ensued to eat and whilst it got dark enough for the lights to take effect (if they ever did? Was it a ploy to try and stop us winning?) before Devon with the odd hiccup, as it was not easy, reached 108-5 and won by 5 wickets. Jack Horton (Plymstock) 32 the top score but James Carr batted for ages and latter said how he had to get down beneath the lights to see the ball. The game was interrupted several times by the automatic sprinkler system switching on until someone placed a brick on a sprinkler- technology! A unique carnival day of cricket to remember for the rest of your life- as it is unlikely many, if any, of the lads will play a day/ night match again.
.jpg)