We wrap up Day 3 of Round 6 in Division 1 of the 4-Day Series fixtures.
WP v Lions
Western Province have surged ahead after securing a slim first-innings lead, with a fantastic century from opener Jonathan Bird spearheading their successful run on Day 3.
The Lions’ resistance with the bat didn’t last very long, as Kyle Simmonds mopped up the tail, adding another three to his wickets tally. Simmonds finished with a masterful 6-wicket haul, and WP were ahead by 28.
The home team began their second innings with confidence – openers Jonathan Bird and Zubayr Hamza added 67 runs for the first wicket. After Hamza’s dismissal, Tony de Zorzi stitched together a superb half-century, helping add another 103 alongside a very determined Bird. The highlight was the 2020 U19 skipper reaching his first ton in 4-day cricket – Bird paced his innings with patience, and a quickfire unbeaten 57 from the in-form David Bedingham has put WP on track to posting a mammoth target for the final day.
WP 315 + 286/2 (Bird 131, Bedingham 57 – Olivier 1/37)
Lions 287 (Rickelton 90, D Hendricks 74 – Simmonds 6/109)
Dolphins v Warriors
It was another run-laden day of cricket in Durban, as the hosts have crept ahead with a marginal lead at the close.
Sarel Erwee and captain Marques Ackerman continued briskly for the Dolphins after laying down a solid platform. Unfortunately, both fell tantalizingly short of their centuries, but that didn’t make their knocks any less vital.
Useful middle-order contributions from Jason Smith, Andile Phehlukwayo, and Slade van Staden ensured that the Dolphins were gradually chipping away at the deficit, and soon made it over the line towards the end.
The Warriors had a long day on the field, and Wihan Lubbe’s part-time offspin proved to be the most successful, with 3 wickets.
Warriors 386
Dolphins 402/7 (Ackerman 96, Erwee 93 – Lubbe 3/48)
Knights v Titans
The Titans completed yet another day of dominance, as the Knights are now scrambling to save the game.
After posting a massive 515 in their first innings, the visitors’ bowling unit all pitched in and routed the Knights for 197.
Simon Harmer celebrated his Test recall with 4 wickets – he brought forth his county experience and dismissed the Knights batters just when they were starting to settle down.
Seamers Dayyaan Galiem, Corbin Bosch, and Aya Gqamane each took two wickets, as a collective effort aggressively pinned down the Knights, who were made to follow on.
Once again, Harmer was back to business as he took two of the three wickets that have fallen, and kept it tight, too.
Jacques Snyman briefly entertained with a swift 32 from 33, but the Titans continued to extend their advantage as the day progressed. The Knights have a lot on their plate tomorrow, as they’ll need to bat for virtually the whole day to make it through unhurt.
There will be a lot riding on their star batter Raynard van Tonder, who has bravely battled it out in the final session.
Titans 515/9 d
Knights 197 (Raubenheimer 36 – Harmer 4/70) + 107/3 (Kruger 41* – Harmer 2/17)
Boland Rocks vs North West Dragons
The North West Dragons were forced to follow-on against the Gbets Rocks. Despite this, they scored 259-7 on the third day of their CSA Four-Day Domestic Series match at Boland Park in Paarl on Saturday.
The visitors still trail by 56 run going into the final day.
The star performer for the Rocks in the Dragons’ first innings was paceman Siyabonga Mahima, who claimed 6-54 in his third first-class match.
Marshall was North West’s top batsman with 97 off 148 balls which included 8 fours and 3 sixes, and was the last wicket to fall as his side was skittled for 170.
In a much better second innings, Lesego Senokwane (56) and Senuran Muthusamy were the star men, putting on 90 for the second wicket.
Muthusamy showed grit for his 63 in 194 balls.
Von Berg (3-88), Imran Manack (2-44) and Mahima again (2-77) spun their way through the North West batting.
Duan Jansen enjoyed his time with the bat and struck eight fours in his unbeaten 47 off 49 balls.
Rocks – 485/7 (Stiaan van Zyl 127; Ndumiso Mvelase 4-104)
Dragons – 170 (Wesley Marshall 97; Siyabonga Mahima 6-54)+ 259/7 (Senuran Muthusamy; Shaun von Ber 3-88)
Photo: WP Blitz/Twitter
