da betobet： Victor Mpitsang claimed his second five wicket haul of the season as Free State skittled Eastern Province for just 180 on day one of this Supersport Series Super Eight match at Goodyear Park on Thursday
Marcus Prior – MWP15-Mar-2001Victor Mpitsang claimed his second five wicket haul of the season as Free State skittled Eastern Province for just 180 on day one of this Supersport Series Super Eight match at Goodyear Park on Thursday.Neither side can reach the final this year, but Mpitsang made themost of the opportunity to showcase the skills which earned him a place inthe national squad two years ago.On a pitch which offered plenty of lateral movement, Eastern Provincelooked to have done well in reaching 48 without loss as Carl Bradfield (35)and Umar Abrahams (13) batted watchfully. But the importance of winning thetoss was underlined as Mpitsang got his foot in the door and then kicked itwide open.Abrahams, James Bryant (0) and Dave Callaghan (0) were all dismissedwithin two Mpitsang overs, to leave EP reeling at 48/3. As Herman Bakkes -recalled to the Free State side in place of Dewald Pretorius who has ahamstring twinge – offered good support at the other end, Free State ranthrough the middle order.Their task was made easier when Bradfield was forced to retire hurt on33 when he received a clanging blow to the box. Although he tried to soldieron, the pain was quite clearly too much and he had to leave the field fortreatment. Insult was added to injury when he could add only two more runswhen he returned to the crease at the fall of Mark Benfield.Free State will be annoyed that they allowed Meyrick Pringle to add 25breezy runs towards the end – a score of 150 or less was probably all EPdeserved. Pringle, keen to protect Mornantau Hayward at the other end,blasted three fours and a huge six off an Mpitsang no-ball.Two wickets before the close as Free State took their turn at the creasewill help EP sleep a touch better, but Kosie Venter has been in fine formrecently and he is still there, ominously poised to unleash on 19.