DAY 1: De Zorzi ton puts WP in charge against Boland

cricket27 March 2025 16:12| © MWP
By:CS Chiwanza
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Tony de Zorzi © Backpagepix

Tony de Zorzi carved an outstanding 141 to power WSB Western Province to 373-3 on day one of their CSA 4-Day Series match against Goldrush Boland at WSB Newlands on Thursday.

The hosts won the toss, elected to bat first and batted themselves into a strong position thanks to De Zorzi's ton.

They had David Bedingham (64*) and Kyle Verreynne (61*) at the crease at the close of play.

De Zorzi registered his ninth first-class century in 146 balls.

This is his first ton of the season.

Ferisco Adams sent down a wide delivery and De Zorzi flashed hard at it to send it over the fielder at short leg to bring up the milestone.

The Proteas test player is enjoying a fruitful spell in red-ball cricket.

Last week, the left-hander scored 46 and an unbeaten 78 as he steered Western Province to victory against the Momentum Multiply Titans.

De Zorzi's innings ended when he attempted to slog a Shaun von Berg delivery out of the ground.

The opener mistimed it and sent it to Aya Gqamane at mid-on.

He was Von Berg's second wicket in a four-over period. 

De Zorzi fell after Eddie Moore's dismissal. Moore perished trying to play the reverse sweep.

The 31-year-old had stitched a brilliant 164-run second-wicket partnership with De Zorzi.

The duo joined forces after Daniel Smith's dismissal in the morning session.

Moore was the foil to De Zorzi's fluent stroke-making. The left-hander faced 80 balls to reach his 43rd first-class half-century.

Moore fell shortly before tea for 75 off 112 balls.

David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne picked up from where De Zorzi and Moore left off.

They stitched together an unbroken 121-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Bedingham reached his 30th first-class half-century during their stand.

He faced 85 deliveries to reach the milestone.

Verreynne faced four more balls to reach his 50. This is the Western Province captain's 34th first-class half-ton.

Shaun von Berg was the most successful bowler for Boland on day one.

The spinner finished the day with two wickets for 58 runs in 19 overs.

Glenton Stuurman was the only other wicket-taker with a single wicket for 83 runs in 18 overs.

WESTERN PROVINCE: Tony de Zorzi, Daniel Smith, Eddie Moore, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (capt)(wk), George Linde, Mihlali Mpongwana, Dane Paterson, Jody Lawrence, Mthiwekhaya Nabe, Wesley Bedja.

BOLAND: Pieter Malan, Grant Roelofsen, Gavin Kaplan, Aviwe Mgijima, Clyde Reeves-Fortuin (capt)(wk), Shaun von Berg, Keith Dudgeon, Aya Gqamane, Ferisco Adams, Akhona Mnyaka, Glenton Stuurman.