Western Province virtually ensured themselves the top spot on the Standard Bank Cup log with a narrow win against Easterns before a crowd of more than 6 000 at Newlands on Sunday.
That Easterns came so close was largely due to an explosive innings from Daryll Cullinan, who must have been left wondering about what might have been if he had not inexplicably demoted himself to number six in the batting order.
Western Province made an uncertain start. Andrew Puttick hit five boundaries in his 27 before becoming Gareth Flusk’s third victim. This brought J-P Duminy to the crease, and the promising left-hander shared successive partnerships of 97 with Lloyd Ferreira (56 off 51 balls) and 65 with Renier Munnik.
Man of the Match Duminy made an enterprising 88, hitting eight fours off 104 balls, scoring freely on both sides of the wicket.
Flusk was expensive in recording a career-best analysis. Brendan Reddy was economical while only being rewarded with Duminy’s wicket off the final ball of the innings.
The bowlers were poorly served by some sloppy ground fielding.
The visitors started cautiously. Andre Seymore played positively before being bowled attempting to force the pace.
Sven Koenig batted grittily, facing 80 balls before being run out. Pierre de Bruyn kept the momentum going until he became Henderson’s second victim.
After Reddy was run out, Cullinan eventually emerged from the pavillion with Easterns needing 76 off just 42 balls.
He hammered six fours off 22 balls, but the task proved just beyond them.
Eighteen were needed off Dawson’s final over, but they could only manage eight while Zander de Bruyn was run out for a breezy 68 off 78 balls (six fours).
Henderson was the pick of the bowlers. Charl Willoughby also bowled economically, but saw Koenig dropped twice off high mis-hits into a swirling south-easter. — Sapa