Team St Helena got of to a winning start in 36 degree heat today in Botswana when they faced Swaziland in their first of six games which they will play over the next five days.
Having won the toss Captain Scott elected to bat opening with Damien and Ryan. The score grew steadily and St Helena batted the 20 overs reaching 182 for the loss of 4 wickets. Notable contributions came from Ryan, Rhys, Scott and Andrew Butters Yon who had only arrived in Gaborone this morning after a 12 hour flight from the UK via Johannesburg top scored with 81.
Swaziland didn’t get off to a good start and wickets fell regularly and St Helena restricted them to 82 in 20 overs, taking 8 wickets in the process. Whilst all around performances were good in the field, Gareth Johnson and Scott Crowie performed well with the ball.
Overall an outstanding result for St Helena for their first official International match in six years.
St Helena also had fans at the game today, when Christian George was visited by family who lives in Botswana
This evening the team will have dinner at the Botswana Cricket Oval and then an early night after an approved beer on the occasion of Weston Clingham’s birthday. Tomorrow is a double Header when St Helena will play Malawi in the mornings game and then face Lesotho after lunch.
