Border made a good start to the UCB Provincial Cup final at the De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley, by first scoring 240 and then reducing Griqualand West to 53 for 3 at the close of play on the first day.

Having won the toss, Border made steady progress with Justin Kreusch, who made 68 and was involved in two half-century partnerships, one with Gareth von Hoesslin (21) and the second with Michael Matika (40). Dumisa Makalima and Murray Ranger put on 74, with Ranger only contributing 15.

At 222 for 5, Border was set for a high total but a collapse of five wickets for 18 runs left them all out for 240, with Makalima top-scoring with 73. Adriaan Swanepoel was responsible for the collapse as he took 4 for 19 in 18 overs.

The Griqualand West innings started disastrously as they lost their top three batsmen for 49 runs. At the close they had moved to 53 for 3, with Jason Brooker on 12 and the nightwatchman Elton Tsamaisi at the crease.