Big-hitting teenager impresses with maiden century

Teenage cricketing protégé Kasief Joseph scored his maiden club century to signal his intention to make a bid for higher honours.

Having completed his matric at Bishops last year and playing in only his fifth Western Province Premier League club match for Rondebosch, he opened the innings along with Irish u/19 international, all-rounder Jordan Neill, to set his side on the trail of an innings score of 275/4 against Claremont at Constantia on Saturday.

After Neil (9) lost his wicket to Claremont’s Marvin Williams with the score on 36 in the ninth over, young Joseph knuckled down to dodge a few fiery deliveries from Claremont’s more experienced bowlers to go onto score an unbeaten 144 off 164 deliveries. Together with the 22-year-old Christiaan Oberholzer (95) Joseph took the score to 238 with a superb second-wicket partnership of 202.

Joseph’s exquisite innings included 15 boundaries and three cheeky sixes. This largely contributed to his side winning this contest by 39 runs after they managed to restrict the home side to 236 in  45.2 overs mainly through some outstanding bowling from Neil, who took 3/18 in 6.2 overs while Ross Coetzee took 3/43 in nine overs.

“I was a bit nervous when I reached 99. It was a case of sweaty palms and to crown it all when I scored my 100, I edged the ball which could easily have been caught. I’m however relieved to have overcome this mental barrier. When I reached 50 I gained more confidence from there on. Now I must build on this performance. I know it's hard work but I’m pretty confident,” said Joseph.

He was part of the victorious Western Province team who won the Khaya Majola week title in December following a five wicket win over the Lions in the final of the weeklong tournament at the Bishops grounds.

He was, however, let down when a mix-up with his age cost him a place in the SA Schools team.

“Yes, it was disappointing but being selected for the SA Colts team did somewhat make up for the disappointment. It has made me determined to work harder to become a successful professional player,” said Joseph. He is presently studying business at the Newlands campus of Varsity College.

Sean Hendrieck, Rondebosch’s coach, lauded Joseph’s exploits in the match along with his other young upstarts in the side. “Joseph is a very talented player and I think if he works hard he certainly has a bright future for him,” said Hendrieck.

According to Hendrieck, Joseph is one of several young talented players whom he has roped in this season as part of his rebuilding process.

“I guess it would be quite fair to ask why we are not in the running to defend our title. The answer is quite simple. We lost several experienced players at the end of last season. You take Lenert van Wyk (35) out of the team then our average age is 22 years in the team. We are sitting in fifth spot and today's win, then I think we are doing pretty good,” said Hendrieck.