SOLID batting, superb bowling and the news that Makhaya Ntini was a free man conspired to help Border take command of their Supersport Series match against Griqualand West at Buffalo Park on Friday. After the news had filtered through that Ntini had won his appeal against a rape conviction, Border celebrated by piling up a first innings of 426 and then reducing Griquas to 209 for nine at the close — still 217 runs in arrears. Resuming on 324-6 overnight, Border’s Ian Mitchell and Vasbert Drakes continued the good work done by Piet Strydom (100), Steven Pope (77) and Wayne Wiblin (56) on Thursday to put on exactly 50 for the seventh wicket. Add in a useful knock of 37 not out by Tyrone Henderson and Border were able to set their opponents a formidable target just before the lunch break. The only consolation for Griquas was the performance of West Indian import, Ottis Gibson, the former Border paceman. Gibson ended with seven for 141 in 37.5 overs, but was the only bowler to really threaten Border’s batting line-up. Then, as if to rub it in, Border grabbed the wicket of Griquas opener Mickey Arthur with the fourth ball of the new innings, just before lunch, to have their opponents battling at two for one. In the afternoon, Willie Dry (64) and Gibson (42) both stemmed the trickle of wickets to prevent a whitewash, but neither went on to big enough scores to prevent a slow collapse. — MWP