The Cobras dominated day two of their 4-Day Franchise Series match against the Dolphins on Tuesday, with Vernon Philander and Pieter Malan together for most of the day in a record-breaking sixth wicket stand.
Cape Cobras vs Dolphins
Vernon Philander and Pieter Malan both hit centuries and shared a record stand in a dominant second day of the 4-Day Domestic Series for the Cape Cobras against the Dolphins in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The pair put on 228 for the sixth wicket – smashing the previous mark of 176 by Ryan Canning and Owais Shah set in 2010/11 – as the hosts reached stumps on 317 for eight, a lead of 92.
Proteas all-rounder Philander continued an impressive return from injury with his third career century, a patient 104 (228 balls, 13 fours), while Malan, who is turning out to be a run machine again this season, eventually fell for 153 (296 balls, 21 fours).
They batted for almost the entire day together and wrestled away the strong position held by the visitors at the start.
The Durbanites had the log leaders at their mercy early on after reducing them from their overnight 45 for four to 65 for five by the sixth over of day two.
However, it was one-way traffic from there as the Dolphins struggled to break through the stubborn Malan-Philander stand that lasted well over 70 overs.
It eventually was broken in the 94th over of the innings when Kerwin Mungroo (2-94) struck, with the same bowler then nabbing a second wicket by getting Dane Piedt (4).
Having completed his 29th first-class century, the resilient Malan eventually fell to Okuhle Cele (3-49) in the penultimate over of the day, although the home side were still powerfully placed at Newlands.
Lions vs Titans
Dean Elgar was closing in on a century as the Titans tried to work their way back into their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Lions in their Jukskei derby at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.
The Proteas opener was not out on 89 (146 balls, 14 fours) to help the defending champions reach stumps at the halfway stage of the game on 165 for three. They were still a massive 365 runs behind after the hosts managed to post an imposing 530 in their first innings.
The Lions, second on the table heading into the game, began day two powerfully placed on 385 for five and the tail managed to wag well thanks to an eighth career half-century from Aaron Phangiso. The veteran spinner struck an unbeaten 51 (79 balls, five fours), while there were also useful contributions from Nicky van den Bergh (49), Bjorn Fortuin (25) and Migael Pretorius (23).
Eldred Hawken ended as the pick of the bowlers from a relatively inexperienced Titans attack, nabbing four for 95.
Elgar and debutant Gianni Koopman (25) added 79 for the opening wicket as the visitors made an assured start to the reply. However, the latter was run-out by Pretorius, and that was followed by a 58-run second wicket stand between Tony de Zorzi (30) and Elgar.
After the departure of the former, Beuran Hendricks (1-36) grabbed the big wicket of competition top-scorer Theunis de Bruyn for four, but Jonathan Vandiar (11) ensured there were no further wickets to fall – the Titans still having plenty to do heading into Wednesday.
Warriors vs Knights
Half-centuries by Eddie Moore and Colin Ackermann put the Warriors in control at the halfway stage of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Knights in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.
The hosts ended day two at St George’s Park on 329 for seven after earlier bowling out the visitors for 279, meaning they went to stumps with a 50-run advantage.
Anrich Nortje also rounded off another wonderful display with figures of six for 66, his fourth career five-for, with the Central Franchise adding just three to their overnight total for the loss of two wickets. They had started out the morning on 276 for eight, before Lutho Sipamla (3-63) removed the set Ryan McLaren first up for 76.
Nortje then accounted for Ottniel Baartman (1) as the Knights were dismissed in 94.3 overs.
Moore led the reply with the bat as he struck a free-flowing 75 off 80 deliveries (14 fours). He put on 76 for the opening wicket with Gihahn Cloete (16), before adding 45 with top-scorer Ackermann, who followed his century in the last game by hitting 79 (157 balls, 11 fours).
No one else managed to cross 50, but there were still more than handy 40s from captain Jon-Jon Smuts (44) and Sinethemba Qeshile (40 not out), with 36 also coming from the bat of Clyde Fortuin.
The best of the visiting bowlers was Tshepo Ntuli with two for 53, with Duanne Olivier (2-93) and Baartman (2-59) also managing double strikes.
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
