EP eager to challenge log leaders

Neale Emslie

FOLLOWING their solid win over South Western Districts last weekend, Eastern Province have moved to third place on the log, but still have much work to do to challenge leading CSA Provincial three-day title contenders Western Province and North West.

Today, EP host KwaZulu-Natal at Old Grey Cricket Club and will look to maintain the momentum from their 217-run win over franchise neighbours SWD.

That result lifted them to 97 points, but they are still 18 points off the pace, behind leaders WP (115) and North West (114). The teams have all played nine games, which means Colin Ackermann's side have four matches left to make up the leeway.

In Ackermann, they have one of the competition's leading batsmen, and it was his century in the first innings last week against SWD that was crucial to their ultimate success.

The skipper has led from the front with three centuries and two fifties in his 648 runs, at an average of 58.90.

Players such as Michael Price, Eddie Moore, David White and James Price are equally capable of piling on the runs and, if EP get that right this weekend, it will open the way for seamers Warren Bell and Sisanda Magala to continue their impressive form.

Bell is the leading wicket-taker in the competition with 38 victims and Magala is in joint-second place with 33 wickets.

Despite their good form, EP will need to make sure they are at their sharpest to continue challenging the top two sides.