Natal bowlers gift initiative to Eastern Province

Eastern Province piled on the runs on the opening day of their SuperSport Series match against Natal at Kingsmead on Friday, finishing the day on 386 for nine as the home attack wasted the opportunity of bowling first.

Natal captain Dale Benkenstein decided to send Eastern Province in on a surface that appeared well-grassed, but the pitch proved to be without any of the malice of Kingsmead 'green mambas' of the past, although, frankly, his bowlers were incapable of using any of the assistance it did offer.

The day started well for Natal when, in the second over, the steep bounce of a Gary Gilder delivery caused the visiting captain, Carl Bradfield, to edge his second ball to the wicket-keeper. The few spectators that there were at the ground must have felt like averting their gaze thereafter, however, as the Natal bowlers sprayed their deliveries on both sides of the wicket and at varying lengths and were splattered around the ground by Mark Benfield.

The 23-year-old opener hit 16 fours and a memorable pulled six off Jon Kent as Eastern Province moved to a daunting 140 for two by lunch. James Bryant (27, 6x4) and Dave Callaghan (42, 5x4) also hit Natal's many poor deliveries consistently to the boundary and it was with some trepidation that Benkenstein led his team out on the field for the afternoon session, having been locked in an earnest discussion with coach Phil Russell over lunch.

The Natal captain immediately brought himself into the attack and broke the 103-run partnership between Benfield and Callaghan. Benfield's top-class innings of 93 off just 117 balls ended tamely as he was fooled by a looping bouncer from Benkenstein and when Gulam Bodi yorked Callaghan with a fine chinaman, Natal spirits were rejuvenated with Eastern Province on 192 for four.

Their enthusiasm was dampened however, as Justin Kemp batted with authority in a hard-hitting half-century and, with Murray Creed (32), Robin Peterson (28) and Mornantau Hayward (26) all making valuable contributions, whatever sniff Natal had of snatching back the initiative disappeared.

With Eastern Province having amassed 386 on the first day, Natal's hopes of a much-needed victory rest on them producing some spectacular batting Saturday or a major EP collapse in their second innings.

The 40-year-old Eldine Baptiste was the pick of the bowlers yesterday and he took a brilliant diving catch at mid-off that had Kemp, who lashed a Gilder half-volley out of the screws, his team-mates and even himself rubbing their eyes in disbelief. The ever-reliable West Indian finished with figures of one for 39 in 17 overs, while spinner Bodi bowled some handy deliveries and took two for 79 in 20 overs. Kent finished with two for 73 in 16 overs and he took a good catch in the gully to dismiss Peterson off Baptiste.