Big-hitting Goles blasts his way into record books
Matthew Goles on his way to becoming Cape Town Cricket Club’s all-time leading Premier League run-scorer. scoring 56 in his side’s 16-run victory over Ottoman in a Western Province Cricket Association Premier League clash against Ottoman, in Surrey Estate, at the weekend.
Image: Mark Ward
Mark Ward
Matthew Goles reached a remarkable milestone in his club-cricket career on Saturday when he became Cape Town Cricket Club’s all-time leading Premier League run-scorer.
Going into the encounter, the 29-year-old batsman needed just 42 runs to surpass the long-standing mark held by former stalwart Dominic Telo. He did so in fine style, scoring 56 in his side’s 16-run victory over Ottoman in a Western Province Premier League clash in Surrey Estate. Goles went on to eclipsed Telo’s career tally of 5,319 first-XI runs and joined the club’s elite group of modern-day greats.
After choosing to bat Cape Town amassed his 166 runs in 44.4 overs with Goals, coming at nr.3 top-scored with his patient 56 off 103 deliveries.
Goles, a former Wynberg Boys’ High matriculant who made his Premier League debut shortly after completing his final exams in 2014, admitted the magical moment came with more nerves than usual.
Matthew Goles acknowledges his supporters following his milestone 56 off 103 deliveries in his side's match against Ottoman, at Surrey Estate, at the weekend.
Image: Mark Ward
“I must admit. I was a bit anxious when I got to 39. But I told myself to relax, otherwise I was going to mess up the moment. There was some pressure as well , especially after a call from my mother before the match to wish me well on the milestone. But here I am. Thanks for making it a memorable moment for me,” said Goles.
He has been a pillar of consistency since debuting for the club during the 2012- 2013 WPCA season. He has scored four centuries and 34 half-centuries, with a highest score of 114 against Green Point. His power-hitting has also been notable. His his 114 sixes are the third-most in Cape Town Cricket Club’s history, behind only former all-rounders Tom Main (142) and Brendan Young (116).
Now the fifth-most capped first-XI player in the club’s recorded history, Goles says he is far from finished.
“Now the job is to push the record even further. I want to set the bar so high that nobody can catch it. But I remain humble. I’m enjoying my cricket for the club. I enjoy my teammates and the club environment ,” he added.
Most first XI runs in Cape Town Cricket Club’s record historyMathew Goles: 5,362; Dominic Telo: 5,319; Marc de Beer: 4,267; William Hantam: 3,978; Clinton Botha: 3,548; Geoff Dods: 3,541; Mark Ritchie: 3,313; Lloyd Moore: 3,277; Tom Main: 3,004; Mathew Olsen: 2,937. (Stats supplied by club)