Ackerman steals Gibbs' thunder

Herschelle Gibbs returned to first-class cricket with a bang in the shape of a cameo 61, but HD Ackerman stole his his thunder with a measured 128 as Western Province were dismissed for 362 with what became the final ball of the day in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

Ackerman's 14th first-class century, a chanceless innings, came off 177 balls and included a full 80 runs worth of fours.

Ackerman wasn't short of attacking intent as he kept on track an innings that wobbled from all 10 wickets intact to three down in the space of 48 runs and nine overs. Graeme Smith, Andrew Puttick and Gibbs were the men who furrowed the visitors' brows in that short time.

Gibbs was typically audacious, driving, pulling and cutting with impunity before driving uppishly at a ball from Mfuneko Ngam to be caught in the covers.

Ackerman's trademark patience and composure kept him in control until he was cleanbowled by Nantie Hayward with a delivery that seamed back.

Ngam turned in another impressive performance and took four for 78.

Gibbs and Smith put on 84 for the first wicket before Ackerman and Neil Johnson shared 92 for the fourth, followed by Ackerman and Ashwell Prince knocking up 78 for the fifth.

All of which made nonsense of EP captain Carl Bradfield's decision to ask Province to bat on the grounds that whatever life there was in the pitch would quickly disappear. That said, his attack's inconsistent display did not aid the skipper.

And while the home side will be happy to have removed the last five Province batsmen for 60 runs, they will be rather less chuffed with the news that star swing bowler Meyrick Pringle is out for six weeks after breaking his right thumb while fielding in the slips.