Rain interrupts EP against Border

Rain wiped out a session and a half of the important Eastern Cape derby clash between Eastern Province and Border at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Both teams have lost all their matches in the Supersport Series so far, making a victory in this encounter vital for long term survival in the competition.

When play was called-off at 4pm local time, Eastern Province were on 276 for six, 222-runs ahead of Border with one day left in the match.

Earlier Carl Bradfield and Justin Kemp resumed the day on 154 for three and carried the score on to 187 before the first wicket fell.

It was Kemp who became the third victim of West Indian paceman Vasbert Drakes. He edged an awkward delivery to Pieter Strydom at slip who had to make a running catch. Kemp scored 81 and shared in a 153-run fourth wicket stand with Bradfield.

The opener became increasingly tied down after Kemp's dismissal and his innings predictably ended with a rash shot as he tried to hit his way out of trouble.

Slow right-arm Strydom frustrated Bradfield who had been stuck on 91 for nearly half an hour. He eventually tried to drive the ball over extra-cover only to hole out to Drakes who gratefully snapped up the chance. Bradfield's innings took 317 minutes and included 12 boundaries.

Murray Creed (31) was the final wicket to fall in the day. Drakes was the bowler as he edged a fiery delivery to wicketkeeper Ian Mitchell who was standing in for the injured Mark Boucher.

Boucher had hurt his index finger when fielding a Drakes ball down the leg side before lunch, forcing South African keeper to head for hospital and precautionary x-rays. No break was found but Boucher will not wear the gloves again in the match. South Africa play New Zealand in the first of three tests starting in Bloemfontein next week.

At the crease when the day's play was finally called off were Shafiek Abrahams (17) and Robin Peterson (22). Play will start a half an hour earlier on Monday to attempt to make up for lost time.