Hundreds from Colin Ingram, his maiden first-class century, and Umar Abraham gave Eastern Province a solid footing at the end of day one of the SAA Provincial Challenge match against Western Province in Port Elizabeth. Sent in to bat first, Eastern Province lost a wicket in the opening over, but followed that up with a 272-run second-wicket partnership between the two centurions. Ingram eventually fell on 169, having hit 23 fours and three sixes while Abrahams, ending on 100 not out, stroked nine fours and two sixes, allowing Eastern Province to declare at 309 for 4. Western Province also found the pitch to their liking as they went to stumps at 96 for 1 with Alistair Gray not out on 44 and Darren Bassage falling just before the close on 42.
Boland made good use of winning the toss and batting first against Border to score 353 for 7 declared at Boland Park in Paarl. Career-bests from Peter Laign (80) and Lee Walters (56) were complimented by 67 from Warren Swan as every batsmen got into double figures to set a good total in the mandatory 85 overs. Mario Olivier, taking 3 for 56, was the most successful Western Province bowler but after bowling 14.3 overs he was taken out of the attack after repeated warnings from the umpire about running onto the pitch in his follow-through. At the close, Border had reached 79 for 1 with Bevan Bennett not out on 31 and Burton de Wett not out on 40.
The match between Griqualand West and North West never got underway due to a waterlogged outfield. An early inspection tomorrow will decide if any play can take place.