Benjamin Hector makes his mark
Free State took the upper hand against Gauteng at the Wanderers
Keith Lane
23-Aug-2005
At the Wanderers, Free State took full advantage of batting first against Gauteng and declared after making 419 for 7, largely due to an unbeaten double-century from Benjamin Hector.
Hector, who made 200 not out, was supported by Shane Summers, who matched him with some power hitting as the 85th over approached. Both Hector and Summers made their last 50 in just 38 balls as the two added 81 in the final 14 overs. By close, Gauteng replied with 36 for no loss.
Western Province 173 (Philander 66, Coetzee 7-42) lead Griqualand West 127 for 6 by 46 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
At Kimberley, Western Province rode on a career-best 66 from Vernon
Philander to help them to a less-than-competitive 173. They were rocked by a lethal spell by Jandre Coetzee, the left-arm medium pacer, as he finished with 7 for 42 in his 18 overs. Coetzee, in only his second first-class match, proved to be almost unplayable on a wicket that did offer the bowlers assistance. Griqualand West also struggled with the bat and were 127 for 6 at stumps. With Wendell Bossenger, their captain, retired hurt, they were effectively seven down.
Eastern Province 230 for 8 dec (Howell 80*, Albertyn 4-55, van Wyk 3-44) lead Boland 109 (Tsotsobe 7-44) by 121 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Boland started their campaign well by restricting Eastern Province to 230 for 8 declared at Paarl. But they squandered the advantage when they batted and folded for a paltry 109. Grant Howell, son of international umpire Ian Howell, top scored for Eastern Province with an unbeaten 80. Wallace Albertyn (4 for 55) and Jacques van Wyk (3 for 44) were the most successful bowlers for Boland.
However, the performance of the day belonged to L Tsotsobe, as his 7 for 44 helped bundle Boland out by the end of the day. This was Tsotsobe's debut and he impressed with his pace and also got the ball to swing into the right-handers.
Border notched up 248 for 5 against KwaZulu-Natal at East London on a day when only 77 overs could be bowled as bad forced players to leave the field early. Carl Bradfield set the tone of the day with a patient 64. Burton de Wett followed suit with a 46 but it was the final pair of Dumisa Makalima (64 not out) and Warwick Hinkel (48 not out) who put on 114 as the Natal bowlers struggled on a good firm surface.