Border qualify for home Standard Bank Cup semi-final

In a remarkable and tense fourth round Standard Bank Cup clash in East London, Border became the first side to qualify for a home semi-final in beating Easterns by 16 runs.

Having lost the toss on a pitch that was always going to be lively, Border decided to bat first and by the eleventh over was in deep trouble with the top four batsmen back in the pavilion for 39-runs.

In a six over spell of 3-18 Andre Nel had run through the top order with Andrew Hall joining in the green top party with the wicket of Stephen Pope.

Zander de Bruyn then took over with three wickets of his own to leave Border struggling at 86/7 after 23 overs and in danger of being bowled out well inside the 45 overs.

An innings saving partnership of 37 between Laden Gamiet (31) and Liam Graham (22) helped Border to reach 146, bowled out in 41.2 overs. Craig Sugden having also scored 22 earlier in the innings.

With Buffalo Park known for its antics once the lights are switched on, Easterns collapsed in front of the bowling of Monde Zondeki and Tyron Henderson.

Henderson started the rot getting rid of Hall and Andre Seymore in his first over and then in his third over Zondeki sent Zander and Pierre de Bruyn packing with consecutive balls to leave Easterns on 11/4 after five overs.

A further wicket for Zondeki, bowling Albie Morkel, left him with figures of 3-9 after five overs that included four wides and a no ball.

Graham replaced Zondeki and struck in his first over with the wicket of Derek Crookes and Easterns at 30/6, just 17 away from the lowest limited overs score in South African domestic cricket.

A 32 from Geoffrey Toyana saved Easterns some embarrassment and a late flurry from Rupert Bailey (17) had them all but out on 99/9.

In came Nel and together with Mpho Sekhoto they nursed the score closer to the target. It was however not to be with Nel falling on 20 and Sekhoto undefeated on 17, bowled out for 130.

Zondeki won the man-of-the-match award with his opening spell, ending on 3-38 with Justin Kreusch picking up three late wickets for 21.

At the Wanderers Gauteng and Eastern Province, with neither team having any chance of making the semi-finals, were frustrated when chassed off the field by rain with the visitors 134/5 after 34 overs.

Eastern Province, apart from Robin Peterson, was all at sea with David Terbrugge and Clive Eksteen taking fours wickets for 31 runs in 13 overs between them.

Terbrugge having taken the wicket of Carl Bradfield with the second ball of the innings also captured the prize wicket of Justin Kemp with the fourth ball of his second spell.

A partnership of 84 between Peterson and James Bryant kept the Jumbos flag flying but with consistent rain and no chance of play continuing the match had to be called off.