da cassino： A viper of a pitch and some ordinary batting have conspired to turn this into one of the lower scoring Supersport Series games of the season, but an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 55 between Murray Creed and South African schools captain Johan
da leao： Marcus Prior – MWP16-Mar-2001A viper of a pitch and some ordinary batting have conspired to turn this into one of the lower scoring Supersport Series games of the season, but an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 55 between Murray Creed and South African schools captain Johan Botha has turned the game decisively in favour of the visitors. Eastern Province closed on 129/5, a lead of 199 over Free State.Dave Callaghan has a well deserved reputation for the destructive natureof his middle-order batting, but at Goodyear Park on Friday it was hisgentle medium paced seamers which were doing a demolition job all of theirown. The 36-year-old Callaghan finished with figures of 5/31 as Free Statecrashed to 110 all out, only the second time he has taken five in hiscareer – the first was earlier this season. A previously under-utilisedtalent? Maybe.In fact, it was the seasoned cricketing mind of Callaghan that did mostof the damage, as he put the ball in the right place and waited for thebatsmen to self-destruct – which they seemed to do almost on cue.The one Free State player approaching Callaghan’s experience was the only batsman to put up any kind of resistance. Venter was at the crease over five hours as he battled his way to 28, all the while wickets tumbling at the other end.A direct hit from Mark Benfield – of all things – caught Venter out ofhis ground to conclude Free State’s sorry display. Venter had only beenopening the batting in the absence of the injured Gerhardus Liebenberg, butthere could hardly have been a better choice as he battled his attackinginstincts and dug in for his side.When Herman Bakkes struck twice at the start of the EP second inningsto have them 18/2, there was just the faintest glimmer of a Free Statecomeback. But Carl Bradfield (38 – the highest score of the match) andCallaghan (18) settled things briefly before three further wickets had thevisitors in trouble again.Cue Creed and Botha to begin their partnership – and in all probabilitytake this game away from Free State. It will be a major surprise if thisgame goes into a fourth day.
