Boland edge ahead of Griquas in tight game

A superb effort of six for 40 from seam bowler Henry Williams put Boland in a strong position during their Supersport Series match against Griqualand West in Kimberley on Saturday.

Williams, who has been banned from international cricket until next year, showed that he is fast approaching the form that made him the leading wicket taker in the competition last season.

Boland have a 43-run lead after ending the second day on 190 for eight after dismissing Griquas for 137.

With two first innings wickets in hand, the visitors have tenuous control of the match on a wicket that still has life in it for the seam bowlers.

Earlier in the day Griquas were bowled out after resuming on 111 for seven. They failed to add any runs to the score when Zahir Abrahim was caught by Steve Palframan off Henry Williams for 13, becoming the fifth victim of the innings for the fast bowler.

Wicket number six came with the dismissal of Craig Tatton in the same manner and the innings was wrapped up by right-arm seamer Charl Langeveldt, who removed number 11 Wayne Kidwell, caught by Palframan for 10.

Despite a shaky start that had Boland at eight for two after a run out of Jonathan Trott (2) and Louis Koen who was bowled for a duck, the visitors managed to rebuild well through find of the season Henry Davids.

He and Pieter Barnard put on 57 for the third wicket and after Barnard had been dismissed for 25, trapped leg before by Abrahim, Davids added a further 58 with Justin Ontong.

Having just moved to his fifty, Davids was bowled by Craig Tatton in the fading light, which prompted the umpires to ask the batsmen if they would prefer the comfort of the changing room. Naturally they agreed in the dismal conditions, leaving Ontong to resume on 27 and Palframan yet to score.

After the delay Boland lost the wickets of Palframan for 10, caught at deep square-leg by Tatton off Kruis and Con de Lange, caught by Martyn Gidley off Tatton for two.

Ontong ended on 60 not out, but had to watch a further two colleagues fall before the close, with Brad Player and Charl Langeveldt going for four and eight respectively.