Batting flutter hurts EP

EASTERN Province skipper Colin Ackermann struck a fine 72 as his team overcame a mid-innings flutter to reach 291 all out at the close of the first day of their CSA Provincial Challenge cricket match against North West at Axxess St George's yesterday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, EP looked in the pound seats during a 94-run stand for the third wicket between Ackermann and Michael Smith (39).

But both batsmen will be disappointed at the way they lost their wickets, caught trying to hit over the top, and their dismissals signalled an alarming slump in their innings.

From 153 for two, they slid to 181 for six before Warren Bell struck an important 48 in an effort to resuscitate the innings.