The first day of the new CSA three-day provincial season started on a high note for bowlers at Senwes Park on Tuesday, as 16 wickets fell on the first day between the North West Dragons and Mpumalanga in their Pool D encounter. NW Dragons won the toss and chose to field first. Chad Classen (2/11) from 10 overs bowled economically, in tandem with Jon Hinrichsen (1/42) in the opening overs.

The new recruit, Jordan Morris, took (5/26) to rip the heart out of Mpumalanga’s batting order as they were bowled out for 135. Alex Kok was the only Mpumalanga batsman who showed fight, with a 92 from 135 balls before Morris trapped him LBW.

The Dragons’ reply was poor, with batsmen getting out with questionable shots. At the close of play on day 1, they were in deep trouble at 89/6. The constant rain washed out yesterday’s play and the Dragons batsmen will need to up their game dramatically on the final day today to avoid further problems.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

The Dragons will need to improve before taking on tougher opposition in their pool.

The first phase of the competition is split up into four pools, with teams taking each other on in bio-secure bubbles in four locations across the country.

Potchefstroom is also one of the host teams with the Dragons, Eastern Province, Mpumalanga and Central Gauteng Lions battling it out in pool D from 16 to 28 March in three-day and one-day cricket matches at Senwes Park and the NWU Oval.

The North West Dragons will face Eastern Province in a one-day match at Senwes Park on Sunday, 21 March, before taking on Mpumalanga in a one-day contest at the NWU Oval on Monday, 22 March.

A mouth-watering encounter is set to take place on Tuesday, 23 March, as the NW Dragons take on Central Gauteng in a one-day game. NW finish their pool-D campaign in a battle against Central Gauteng in whites in a three-day match at the NWU Oval from 26 to 28 March.