We wrap up Day 2 of the sixth round of the CSA 4-Day Series Competition.
Warriors v Dolphins
The Warriors posted an impressive 386 on the back of handy lower-order contributions following a scintillating century from skipper Rudi Second. Tristan Stubbs scored a vital 46, while a couple of cameos from Tiaan van Vuuren and Glenton Stuurman drove the Warriors closer to the 400 benchmark.
Eathan Bosch impressed with a 5-wicket haul, as the Dolphins had a long time in the office with the ball.
The Dolphins lost opener Thamsanga Kumalo in the 6th over, but managed to recover well, with a 97-run stand between Sarel Erwee and Rahman Waseem.
Waseem edged to wicketkeeper Sinethemba Qeshile off Wihan Lubbe’s offspin, but Erwee has remained solid. Captain Marques Ackerman helped play out the remaining overs, keeping the home team in contention.
Warriors 386 (Second 120 – Bosch 5/75)
Dolphins 146/2 (Erwee 65* – Lubbe 1/21)
Titans v Knights
It was yet another productive day for the visitors, as the Titans piled on a gargantuan 515, courtesy an array of strong scores from multiple batters.
Openers Grant Mokoena and Jordan Hermann set the tone with half-centuries. Heinrich Klaasen may have come up short of his century by 16, but Sibonelo Makhanya was the star of the show with a tremendous 111.
It was truly a spirited team effort on all levels, as the momentum continued with half-centuries from Corbin Bosch and Dayyaan Galiem. Aya Gqamane chipped in with a priceless 39 at #9.
Amid the merriment for the Titans, Alfred Mothoa was the shining light for the Knights bowling attack, taking 5 wickets in his 21 overs.
The Knights have their work cut out, and will have to build a large total to save the game.
Titans 515/9d (Makhanya 111, Klaasen 84 – Mothoa 5/62)
Knights 12/0
Western Province v Lions
It’s a well-matched tussle brewing at Cape Town, as Western Province have their noses in ahead at the end of Day 2.
After getting bowled out for a respectable 315, the hosts got to work immediately. Lions opener Joshua Richards was dismissed on the second ball off left-armer Beuran Hendricks. And after Reeza Hendricks edged to the keeper off Tshepo Moreki, the Lions were in a bit of trouble at 27/2.
Fortunately, left-handers Dominic Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton dug in and began the rescue act with confidence. Hendricks went about in stately fashion, occupying the crease and playing the classic long innings, while Rickelton consistently found the boundary to keep WP under pressure.
The partnership between Hendricks and Rickelton produced a grand total of 157 runs, shifting the momentum back towards the Lions. However, the balance tilted back in favour of WP, as left-arm spinner Kyle Simmonds dismissed both the set batters and then claimed the wicket of Wiaan Mulder.
The Lions are still 77 in arrears, with 3 wickets in hand. WP will look to wrap up the innings quickly and hopefully snag a sizeable lead, while the Lions will plan to close the gap as much as they possibly can.
WP 315 (Verreynne 86, Bedingham 81 – Siboto 4/31)
Lions 238/7 (Rickelton 90, D Hendricks 76 – B Hendricks 3/35, Simmonds 3/91)
