Record figures for Strydom as Bears crush Western Province

Border captain Pieter Strydom spun his side to an upset 99-run victory over Western Province with the best-ever figures in domestic limited overs cricket in their Standard Bank Cup match in East London on Wednesday. And another captain, Dale Benkenstein, starred with an unbeaten 93 as KwaZulu-Natal completed a five-wicket victory over Free State in Durban.

Strydom took six for 17 with his slow left-arm spin as WP folded up to be bowled out for 136 at Buffalo Park. It was a pitiful batting display from the team that had headed the log shortly before Christmas and who had been set 236 to win by the home team.

Strydom had had a hand in the Border total as well, top-scoring with 55 as Burton de Wett (47) and Mark Bruyns (41) lend support in what was the Bears' most cheering performance of the season.

At Kingsmead Benkenstein steadied the Dolphins after a top-order wobble to carry his side home with nearly two overs to spare. Free State had seemed to be in the driving seat as Johan Beukes (89) and Morne van Wyk (66) put on 115 for the first wicket with Nixon McLean, the Dolphins leading strike bowler having hobbled off the field after only four overs.

But Benkenstein played a captain's innings as the Dolphins hauled in the Free State total of 248 for five with Jon Kent (44) and Ashraf Mall (33) making valuable contributions in the middle order.

In Kimberley, Griquas match against Boland was abandoned without a ball bowled.