North West bowled out the reigning Supersport Series Champions the Highveld Strikers for 224 on the first day of their four-day match in Potchefstroom on Friday.

West Indian Mark Lavine was the key figure as he took six for 55 to reduce the visitors to a very average score. It was his best return in first class cricket. At stumps the hosts were six without loss.

Lavine bowled with aggression, pace and bounce which rattled the Highveld top order as the side slumped to 33 for four.

Nic Pothas and West Indian Otis Gibson managed to make amends and put on an entertaining 84 for the six wicket at a run a ball.

Gibson's swashbuckling style could not last however and he was dismissed by Lavine trying to slog one too many it left Pothas to keep the innings together. He tried manfully but with the arrival of the tail, Pothas decided to attack when circumspection might have been better.

Pothas fell agonisingly short of his century when he was caught by Andrew Lawson off the bowling of Lavine for 93. Once he was back in the pavilion the end was near for the Highveld innings. Lavine duly wrapped it up with his sixth wicket which surpassed his previous best of five for 44 against Free State.

© CricInfo