Border’s hitmen take control

BORDER'S batsmen took centre stage on day two of the three-day Sunfoil Cup match against North West at Buffalo Park yesterday as they built a massive lead.

North West ended the day in all sorts of trouble on 13/1 in their second innings after Border hammered their way to 320/5 declared, an imposing a 166 run lead, sending the visitors back into bat 30 minutes before the close of play.

North West now face an uphill battle to save the match as a win is surely out of the question for them, as they need a further 153 runs just to make Border bat again, while opening strike bowler Phaphama Fojela claimed the second innings only wicket so far of Janneman Malan for five.

The day began with the home sides bowlers cleaning up the tale in good time to have the visitors all out for 154 just after morning tea thanks to Fojela's superb 5/32, with Border then taking to the crease and dominating the rest of the session.

The only hiccup was losing opener Mkhululi Calana (3) with the score on 24, but an aggressive Gionne Koopman and captain Martin Walters safely took them to lunch on 74/1, with Koopman bringing up his half century just before the break.

After the break Koopman and Walters resumed their assault and took Border past 100 in the 28th over.

Their impressive 140 run partnership was finally brought to an end by Johannes Diseko who had Koopman caught behind by keeper Richardt Frenz for 90.

Walters followed five overs later for 73, also caught behind, but this time off the bowling of Siviwe Gidana, with Border still very well placed on 189/3.

This brought Darryl Brown to the crease to join Christiaan Jonker and they piled on the misery for the North West bowlers, taking Border past 200.

Jonker and Brown were striking the ball well on all sides of the wicket, making the North West bowlers chase leather, and they then brought up Border's 300 in the 74th over.

Today's final way at 9.30am. day gets under