MEYRICK Pringle struck a entertaining 83 off 48 balls, but it wasn’t enough to deny Gauteng victory inside three days in their Supersport Series match against Eastern Province at the Wanderers on Saturday.
The former South African bowler recovered from a powerful blow on the helmet to almost force Gauteng to bat again in a 54-minute spell that was miserable for Gauteng’s bowlers, but never threatened the overall result.
It was the highest score of the match for EP, and also helped Pringle surpass his own highest first class score in South Africa, bettering the 60 he notched up against Free State in 1994/95.
Resuming on 24 without loss at the start of the day — still 277 in arrears — the visitors got off to a good start with openers Carl Bradfield and Mark Benfield putting on 50.
But after the departure of Benfield for 31, Bradfield just had to watch from the other end as he lost three more batting partners for the addition of just 55 runs.
Pringle reached his 50 off 32 balls, with nine fours and a six, before really opening his shoulders.
In the end, he swung at everything thrown at him before being well caught on the midwicket fence by the substitute off Crookes’ bowling.
Darryl Cullinan got the Man of the Match for his pivotal 135 during Gauteng’s only innings while seamer Walter Masemula was given the Recruit of the Match after taking 4-35 in EP’s disastrous first innings of 99 all out.