A middle order collapse almost derailed Border, but some lusty hitting from the lower order saw the hosts end the opening day of their Sunfoil 3-day Cup match against Northern Cape in a strong position at Buffalo Park yesterday afternoon.
After a century opening stand between Mkhululi Calana and Gionne Koopman, Border were sitting in a great position on 150/1 after lunch.
“The conditions were difficult. We just told ourselves to keep grinding,” said Calana.
“I have not had the best start to the season so I was happy to score some runs and getting my best first class score so far was just a bonus.”
A middle-order stumble then saw four wickets go down for 13 runs, with former Border bowler Mbulelo Budaza leading the charge for the visitors.
A further two wickets fell with Border on 210/7 before the tail wagged thanks to Clayton Bosch’s maiden first class 50, with Border finally bowled out for 289 just before the close.
Northern Cape slipped to 40/2 by the close of play with Phaphama Fojela and Thandolwethu Mnyaka taking wickets.
In the morning North West won the toss and elected to field first.
Calana and Koopman took 144 balls for them to bring up the 50 partnership, but they then started picking up the rate and went to lunch on 92/0 with Calana one run away from his 50.
After the lunch break Calana brought up his second career first class half century, Border passed the 100 run mark and Koopman brought up his own 50.
Calana was the first to fall after reaching a career best 56, with Border on 120/1.
This brought Martin Walters to the crease and he, with Koopman, put on a 30 run partnership with Walters (17) caught behind off the bowling of Jacques Snyman to begin the slide.
Budaza claimed a double strike in the 55th over, first having Koopman caught by keeper Zakir Kathrada for a well played 68 and then removed Marco Marais LBW for a fourth ball duck.
Three overs later Border were in a bit of trouble on 163/5 as Budaza sent Jerry Nqolo (7) packing.
Yaseen Vallie and Avumile Mnci steadied the ship a bit with a 23-run stand, taking Border to tea on 186/5.
First ball after the tea break Vallie (22) feathered behind to give Kathrada his fourth catch of the innings off the bowling of Akhona Kula and seven overs later Mnci (13) was trapped LBW as Border slipped to 210/7.
With the tail enders now in Northern Cape would have been confident of bowling them out quickly but Bosch and Phumzile Majaja combined for a quickfire 40-run stand to bring up the Border 250, with Majaja then falling on21.
Fojela (12) then came and went while Bosch continued, with Mnyaka (6no) sticking with him until he brought up his half century with a three, before being bowled with the next ball to end the innings. — rossr@dispatch.co.za
Border ride their luck at Buffalo Park
After a century opening stand between Mkhululi Calana and Gionne Koopman, Border were sitting in a great position on 150/1 after lunch.
“The conditions were difficult. We just told ourselves to keep grinding,” said Calana.
“I have not had the best start to the season so I was happy to score some runs and getting my best first class score so far was just a bonus.”
A middle-order stumble then saw four wickets go down for 13 runs, with former Border bowler Mbulelo Budaza leading the charge for the visitors.
A further two wickets fell with Border on 210/7 before the tail wagged thanks to Clayton Bosch’s maiden first class 50, with Border finally bowled out for 289 just before the close.
Northern Cape slipped to 40/2 by the close of play with Phaphama Fojela and Thandolwethu Mnyaka taking wickets.
In the morning North West won the toss and elected to field first.
Calana and Koopman took 144 balls for them to bring up the 50 partnership, but they then started picking up the rate and went to lunch on 92/0 with Calana one run away from his 50.
After the lunch break Calana brought up his second career first class half century, Border passed the 100 run mark and Koopman brought up his own 50.
Calana was the first to fall after reaching a career best 56, with Border on 120/1.
This brought Martin Walters to the crease and he, with Koopman, put on a 30 run partnership with Walters (17) caught behind off the bowling of Jacques Snyman to begin the slide.
Budaza claimed a double strike in the 55th over, first having Koopman caught by keeper Zakir Kathrada for a well played 68 and then removed Marco Marais LBW for a fourth ball duck.
Three overs later Border were in a bit of trouble on 163/5 as Budaza sent Jerry Nqolo (7) packing.
Yaseen Vallie and Avumile Mnci steadied the ship a bit with a 23-run stand, taking Border to tea on 186/5.
First ball after the tea break Vallie (22) feathered behind to give Kathrada his fourth catch of the innings off the bowling of Akhona Kula and seven overs later Mnci (13) was trapped LBW as Border slipped to 210/7.
With the tail enders now in Northern Cape would have been confident of bowling them out quickly but Bosch and Phumzile Majaja combined for a quickfire 40-run stand to bring up the Border 250, with Majaja then falling on21.
Fojela (12) then came and went while Bosch continued, with Mnyaka (6no) sticking with him until he brought up his half century with a three, before being bowled with the next ball to end the innings. — rossr@dispatch.co.za
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