THANKS to centuries by Gauteng’s elder statesmen, Ken Rutherford and Daryll Cullinan, Gauteng are virtually assured of an outright victory over Eastern Province in their Supersport Series match at the Wanderers this weekend.
After EP’s paltry 99 all out on Thursday, the Wanderers pitch lost its venom on Friday as Gauteng rattled up an entertaining 400 for nine declared.
By the close, EP were holding on at 24 without loss — still 277 runs behind overall with two days play.
Openers Sven Koenig (18) and Adam Bacher (34) added 47 to the overnight score of 24, before Rutherford flayed the EP bowlers for a ton off 151 deliveries.
Cullinan picked up where his captain left off, after being dismissed by Nantie Hayward.
Cullinan stroked his way to a chanceless century off 147 balls with 17 fours and a six. It was the straw that broke the EP camel’s back.
Among the bowlers, Meyrick Pringle did the damage in the lower order taking four for 103, while Hayward was a little erratic for his three for 121.