We wrap up Day 3 of the 2nd Round of the 4-Day Series which saw Lions and Knights win against Warriors and Dragons respectively.

Division One

Warriors vs Lions: Lions won by innings and 20 runs

Day 3 began with Warriors in all sorts of trouble with an overnight score of 41-7. Day 2 was stopped due to bad light forcing yet another 9:30 am start for the second day in a row at St George’s Park Cricket Stadium. Some Qeshile and Glenton Stuurman too to the field with a goal to save the home side from an embarrassment of an innings defeat at home.

But Sisanda Magala and Malusi Siboto had a totally different outcome in mind, they were out for blood with Magala bowling at his favourite end – the Graeme Pollock Pavilion end, while Siboto steamed in from the Duckpond end. The match was done & dusted by 10:02 am, with Magala registering yet another first-class career six-for while Siboto bowled 5.1, all of which were maidens and topped it up with the last wicket of Tsepo Ndwandwa to wrap the Warriors second innings.

For a team with so much potential, a 15p runs in a 4-Day game, at their home ground, this defeat will be in their memory for the remainder of the competition.

Rocks vs Western Province Blitz: Rocks trail Blitz by 71 runs

Day 2 hero, Tony de Zorzi, took to the field for the Blitz on 127 runs with his side on 298-3. The left-handed added only 2 runs on his overnight score as he was trapped lbw by Ferisco Adams. The Blitz posted a first-innings total of 444 runs clearly getting the upper hand in the Cape derby. South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in first-class cricket, Shaun von Berg, claimed yet another five-for to finish as the pick of the bowlers.

Set to reduce the 177-run deficit, Rocks openers, Pieter Malan and Gafieldien ended Day 3 unbeaten on 41 and 60 respectively.

Titans vs Dolphins: Titans lead by 117 runs

Resuming their first innings on 241 runs with the set Sarel Erwee already past his first century of the season, the Dolphins continued their brilliant performance in the domestic setup as they breezed to a big total of 433 runs achieving a lead of 9 runs in the process. Erwee finished on 163 while Jason Smith (59 off 91) had a good start but failed to convert it to a second century for the season. The pick of the bowlers was big signing Simon Harmer with 4-106.

In reply, the Titans opening pair of Mokoena and Brand put on yet another century stand together continuing their successful pairing at the top of the order. At close Brand was unbeaten on 58 off 118 while Mokoena lost his wicket at the other end for a well-played 58 runs. The Titans will resume on 126-1 on Day 4.

North West Dragons vs Knights: Knights won by 10 wickets

The Dragons started Day 3 afresh having been asked to follow on by the Knights but they could only make 197 runs which when added up with their 237 runs from the first innings only resulted in a 16 run lead which the Knights chased within 2.2 overs.

The pick of the bowlers was Gerald Coetzee with figures of 4-47 for the Knights.

Division Two

Northern Cape Heat vs Tuskers: Heat lead Tuskers by 267 runs

Resuming Day 3 on 260-6, the Tuskers only managed to add 62 runs on Day 3 leaving a deficit of 11 runs behind.

Northern Cape quickly went on the attack with the goal of adding as many runs as possible to force a possible Day 4 result in Kimberley. They ended Day 3 on 256-6 with a 267-run lead. Ernest Kemm registered a century at the top of the order for the Northern Cape.

Eastern Storm vs Limpopo Impalas: Impalas follow on in Benoni

Limpopo Impalas were behind in this game for a long period of time. They ended Day 2 on 171-6 in reply to Eastern’s mammoth 441 first innings score.

A brilliant bowling performance restricted the Impalas to 261 runs which was not enough to avoid a follow on. Following on, Ludwig Kaestner (65) Malcolm Nofal (51) fought hard to see the Impalas on 185-3 at the close of play. They are by far off the hook as Eastern Storm bowlers will look to get quick wickets on Day 4 in order to chase a relatively low score and win the match.

South Western District vs Mpumalanga Rhinos: SWD need 207 to win on Day 4

Virtually a 3-Day game after the first day of this encounter was wiped out due to a wet outfield, SWD batters were caught napping facing a young bowling unit.

22-year-old Jon Hinrichsen claimed four wickets to ensure his side were ahead by 102 runs against a batting order that included highly rated batter Leus du Plooy.

The Rhinos had a forgettable second innings as they could only add 104 runs to their lead leaving them needing to defend 207 runs on the last day.

The performance of the two batting lineups suggests that 207 runs can be chased in one day. But then again, the Oudtshoorn wicket can be very difficult to bat on more especially if the team bowling on Day 4 has capable spinners to exploit the spinner friendly conditions.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix