Western Province pulled off a remarkable win in their opening Super 6 match.

With the Eastern Province top order making merry despite being set a stiff target, it looked like Ackerman's declaration half an hour before lunch, which left the visitors a target of 290 in a minimum of 79 overs (3.6 to the over) would prove a failure. However, Willoughby stopped the rot with his first hat-trick, and went on to take 4 wickets in 5 balls and 5 in 12 as a remarkable collapse saw EP slump from 188 for 2 in the 55th over to 199 all out in the 63rd. Willoughby finished with career best figures of 6 for 44.

WP had scored freely before lunch, adding 139 in better than even time as Kirsten and Trott both reached aggressive half centuries. The visiting attack was hampered by the absence of Hayward and Kruger.

EP batted positively before and after lunch. The spinners Adams and Harris each took an early wicket. However, Ackerman then turned to his seamers and the bottom fell out of the EP innings.

The win left WP top of the Super 6 log, now less than one full point ahead of Northerns.

© CricInfo