Kemp powers EP to the brink of victory

All-rounder Justin Kemp powered Eastern Province to the brink of victory over North West in a Supersport Series match following a brilliant 188, which included an over where he smashed five sixes.

Kemp, starting the third day on 53 moved briskly along until he sensed he was running out of partners. And then, in a display of hitting usually reserved for the Lance Kluseners of the world, he launched into unfortunate off-spinner Morne Strydom in the 129th over of the day.

Kemp took 31 runs from the over, missing out on a sixth six with the final ball, which spurted down to fine leg for a single.

He became only the third South African to achieve the feat of five sixes in an over after Mike Procter, Barry Touzel and Dennis Lindsay.

His innings came from 259 balls and included 16 boundaries and nine sixes. Strydom's figures read six overs none for 74.

Eastern Province posted 448 to give them an overall lead of 107 runs on first innings and then had North West reeling at 83 for five at the close.

The visitors moved pleasantly enough to 61 for two in their second knock, but first innings hero Shafiek Abrahams trapped Andrew Lawson leg before for 29, which started a mini-collapse. Craig Light followed for 10, tapped leg before by Robin Peterson and in the final over of the day Arno Jacobs was caught at slip by Murray Creed off Peterson for 22.

Earlier, Creed (33) and Wayne Murray (32) provided Kemp with partners and, later, number 11 Nantie Hayward shared a 70-run partnership with Kemp for the 10th wicket. He scored just six of those runs which came of an incredible 28 balls.

The only North West bowler to have any success was right-arm seamer Francois van der Merwe who captured five for 62 in 33 overs.