Northerns plod towards advantageous position

Northerns 267 and 230 for 3 (van Wyk 83*) lead Western Province 317 (Canning 68, Aronstam 3-82) by 180 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Fifties from Johannes Myburgh and Kruger van Wyk gave Northerns a significant advantage over Western Province on the third day of the SAA Provincial Challenge final.

The pair came together with their side struggling slightly on 85 for 2 after Francois du Plessis - who had played crisply for his 20 - fell to Travis Friend. Both players ground out fifties and although rarely choosing to attack they have given Northerns a significant advantage with a lead of 180 runs.

Province's bowlers toiled without success and it was turgid cricket for much of the afternoon; Siraaj Conrad, bowling a leg-stump line, tried to bore out the batsmen. Van Wyk was wise to the tactic, however, and irritated the bowler with a succession of reverse sweeps.

Northerns end the day on top and will be keen on making quick runs on the final day if they are to bowl Province out in time.