An aggressive 190 from Theunis de Bruyn helped the Knights take command of their Sunfoil match against the Dolphins in Bloemfontein.
He faced just 225 balls, striking 25 fours and four sixes, until he wretchedly fell lbw to the left-arm spin of Senuran Muthusamy, 10 short of a deserved double hundred, as the Knights closed the day on 400-6.
De Bruyn was aided and abetted by Luthando Mnyanda, who contributed 74 (132 balls, 9×4) to a second-wicket stand of 198 after the Warriors hopes had been lifted by the early dismissal of Grant Mokoena.
There were equally effective contributions from Pite van Biljon (40), Rudi Second (36*) and Patrick Kruger (35) as the Knights imposed themselves early.
The Knights had a disappointing white-ball break, ending last in both the Ram Slam and the One-Day Cup, and after five draws in the first half, recognised the need to get moving. They scored at more than four an over.
In East London, The Warriors fought back after being bowled out for 193 by the Highveld Lions, for whom Aaron Phangiso’s spin collected five for 56 off 21 overs.
Colin Ackermann’s dynamic 55 off 68 balls took the Warriors to 78-1 before Wiaan Mulder had him caught behind for the first of his three wickets.
The Lions, though, had lost three wickets for 77 runs, 116 behind, when stumps were drawn, leaving the match interestingly poised.
Warriors vs Highveld Lions Scorecard
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
