Justin Ontong powered the Cobras to their third victory on the trot to see them sitting pretty on top of the Momentum One Day Cup log.
After being inserted by Stephen Cook, the Cobras amassed 337-3 in Paarl. Andrew Puttick once again set up the innings with a 111-ball 94, before Stiaan van Zyl and Justin Ontong smashed 137 runs off the last 10 overs. Van Zyl finished unbeaten on 91 off 74 balls, while Ontong was dismissed off the final delivery of the innings for a 38-ball 83.
In reply, the Lions got off to a promising start, reaching 97-0 after 15 overs. The first wicket fell to the first delivery of the 16th over and a procession of wickets followed. At 162-6 it looked as if the Cobras would earn another bonus point but a good partnership between Dwaine Pretorius and Hardus Viljoen ensured the Lions reached 284-7, which was still 53 runs short.
The Warriors won their first game of the tournament in a final over thriller in Pietermaritzburg. The Dolphins posted a competitive 274-8 on the back of a Vaughn van Jaarsveld century. The left-hander struck a 99-ball 118 to give his bowlers something to bowl at.
The openers got the Warriors off to the perfect start. JJ Smuts was the anchor, scoring a patient 94 off 121 balls, while Michael Price accumulated 70 at the other end. Colin Ingram contributed a breezy 32, before Christiaan Jonker took the side home will three balls to spare. He finished unbeaten on 30 off 16 balls to secure the four wicket victory.
The match between the Titans and Knights at Willowmoore Park was abandoned due to a dangerous pitch. After just 19 overs, which saw the Titans reach 45-3, the umpires and match referee called the game off.
CSA Administrative condition clause 5.3 deals with this issue and states the following:
5.3 CSA would have a range of options available to deal with its findings on the pitch in question, including the deduction of points from the home team, the imposition of a fine not exceeding R150 000,00 or both. A further option available is a recommendation to the Board that the ground in question be excluded from the next season’s roster of International and/or Test matches.
The Knights were awarded the 4 match points, which gets them off the mark in the competition. The Titans, on the other hand, remain rooted to the foot of the table on zero points.
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