Western Province completely dominated the opening day of their SuperSport Series match against Boland at the picturesque PP Smit Stadium in Bellville, ending the day in a commanding position at 347 for 3.

The bulk of the day's play was taken up by a huge 2nd wicket partnership between the left-handed pair of Gary Kirsten and Ashwell Prince, both challenging for places in the Test team. Their stand was worth 253, a new Western Province record.

WP won the toss and took first use of a slowish pitch. The batting was equally slow, before Lloyd Ferreira fell to a good catch by wicket-keeper Steve Palframan. The Bolander's joy turned to despair as the two diminutive WP batsmen then took the game away from them. Prince batted attractively, while Kirsten was at his gritty best.

Kirsten reached his 38th First Class hundred in just short of 5 hours, off 217 balls; and Prince recorded his 6th FC century in 4 hours off 184 balls.

Fittingly, their centuries were recorded off successive deliveries. Kirsten's innings of 5 and a quarter hours came to a tame end when he holed out to Vinod Kambli's tame off spin, and Prince followed shortly afterwards hooking Jacques van Wyk's first delivery with the new ball straight to fine leg, having equalled his highest FC score.

Captain HD Ackerman and Zimbabwean Neil Johnson raised another fifty partnership before close of play. The Boland attack was workmanlike without ever really threatening the talented home batsmen. Andrew Cyster impressed with his fielding on what was a demoralising day for the bowlers. Their overstepping was another headache, conceding no fewer than 26 no-balls during the day.

WP scored 4.82 batting points, and Boland a single bowling point.

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