Superb all-round performance from Linde edges WP over the line

George Linde and Beuran Hendricks showed all their experience with an unbeaten 39-partnership for the eighth wicket to edge Western Province over the line in their CSA One-Day Cup clash at Newlands.

Province made heavy weather of chasing down North West's 172 and required a defiant 44 not out from Linde and a notable undefeated 17 from tailender Hendricks.

The home team lost wickets at regular intervals with Jonathan Bird being the first to depart for four.

Bird's in-form opening partner Tony de Zorzi followed shortly after a rather testing stay at the crease where he used his inside edge more than the free-flowing blade we have become accustomed to in recent times.

Kerwin Mungaroo was the chief destroyer for the Dragons, having picked up the wickets of both openers.

Mungaroo was done yet though as he added a third scalp when Daniel Smith was caught behind for a duck to leave Province in deep trouble.

Mohammed Yaseen Vallie and Gavin Kaplan attempted to rebuild the WP innings.

However, the Dragons kept plugging away and reaped the rewards when Vallie fell for 21.

It seemed like young Kaplan, though, was ready to take on the responsibility of getting Western Province over the line, but he too fell when well set on 44 with Senuran Muthusamy completing a neat caught and bowled after earlier also playing a significant role in Vallie's demise.

The match was turned on its head when WP allrounders Mihlali Mpongwana and Wayne Parnell also fell in quick succession to leave the home team needing 39 runs with only three wickets remaining in the dug out.

That's when the two left-handers kept their composure to entrench WP's position at the top of the table.

LINDE SHINES WITH THE BALL

Earlier, the Dragons had managed a positive start through openers Wesley Marshall and Lesego Senokwane as they capitalised on a wayward new-ball spell from WP captain Wayne Parnell.

Marshall, in particular, was severe on Parnell striking a couple of boundaries and a delightful straight six to propel the Dragons to 46 without loss after six overs.

However, the right-hander utilised a poor option a few balls later when he attempted to drive Hendricks over mid-on against the strong south-westerly wind and only managed to find Junaid Dawood to be dismissed for 22 off 21 balls.

Marshall's dismissal set in motion a period of dominance for Western Province with the spin twins of Linde (4-34) and Dawood (1-41) strangling the North West middle-order.

The visitors managed just 64 runs in the next 24 overs for the loss off a further wickets.

Linde had both Senokwane (16) and Grant Mokoena (7) caught behind during this period, while Mpongwana clean bowled Shaylen Pillay for 19 in his second over.

However, it was Tshepo Moreki who delivered the big scalp of Dragons captain Heino Kuhn with a rapid delivery. Kuhn was caught behind by Daniel Smith trying to fend off a ball into his rib cage.

Although Senuran Muthusamy (23) and Chris Britz (30) tried to salvage the North West innings, the visitors simply had no answer to Linde with the left-arm spinner claiming a further two wickets in an impressive spell.

Moreki also continued his upward trajectory with another two wickets to finish with 3-27 from seven overs.

WESTERN PROVINCE:Tony de Zorzi, Jonathan Bird, Yaseen Vallie, Daniel Smith, George Linde, Wayne Parnell (captain), Beuran Hendricks, Tshepo Moreki, Junaid Dawood, Gavin Kaplan, Mihlali Mpongwana.

NORTH WEST:Lesego Senokwane, Wesley Marshall, Grant Mokoena, Heino Kuhn ©, Shaylen Pillay, Senuran Muthasamy, Chris Britz, Duan Jansen, Eldred Hawken, Renaldo Meyer, Kerwin Mungroo, Tumelo Thokwe, Delano Potgieter.