/ 15 October 1999

BORDER BAT BACK

WAYNE Wiblin’s 80 in four hours off 207 balls and including 10 fours in East London was perhaps not the most attacking innings from a batsman who likes nothing better than lashing leather with willow. But it was a vital intervention in an innings that was on the skids at 70-3. Andre Nel’s first eight overs cost as many runs and he had Botha caught behind into the bargain, while Phil Simmons used his experience in posting a first spell of 2-13 off eight. But the rot stopped with Wiblin and Mark Boucher, who shared 84 runs in their defiant fourth-wicket partnership before left-arm spinner Ant Botha sent Boucher packing. Border’s rehabilitation was completed with a fifth-wicket stand of 78. Border batted 283 for 5 wickets.