Twenty wickets fall on first day at Buffalo Park

Bowlers dominated as 20 wickets fell on the first day of the CSA 4-Day Series (Second Division) match between the Eastern Cape Iinyathi and the Mpumalanga Rhinos at Buffalo Park in East London on Friday.

The Rhinos won the toss and asked the Iinyathi to take first strike. It was a decision that seemed to have paid off when 24-year-old paceman Bamanye Xenxe tore the heart out of the home team’s innings, claiming 6-51, his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Only Marco Marais (45) and Jerry Nqolo (37) put up much resistance, adding 51 for the fourth wicket.

The tough times for batters continued, however, as the Iinyathi promptly dismissed the Rhinos for 122, a lead of 32, at stumps. This time the wickets were distributed more equally as left-arm wrist-spinner Thomas Kaber took 4-31 while Phaphama Fojela and Sean Jamison grabbed a couple each.

EASTERN CAPE IINYATHI: Jerome Bossr, Jason Niemand, Nonelela Yikha, Jerry Nqolo (capt), Marco Marais, Mncedisi Malika (wk), Thomas Kaber, Thandolwethu Mnyaka, Phaphama Fojela, Sean Jamison, Gideon Peters

MPUMALANGA RHINOS: Brian Koto, Liam Peters, Yassar Cook (capt), Glen Adams, Alexander Kok, Caleb Balich, Kyle Klesse (wk), Baruanje Xenxe, Jon Hinrichsen, Luvuyo Nkese, Kgandisa Molefe