Batsman David Bedingham welcomed a maiden first-class century for the Cape Cobras, on day two of a key 4-Day Franchise Series fixture against the Lions at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

Contracted by the Cape Town franchise from Boland earlier this year, Bedingham has relished an immediate impact on a Cape Cobras outfit minus the services of the veteran Andrew Puttick and Richard Levi.

Puttick has retired and Levi left the franchise, leaving the city’s next generation – spearheaded by Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Mthiwekhaya Nabe and other young contemporaries – with plenty of responsibility.

A product of Wynberg Boys’ High School, Cape Town Cricket Club and Stellenbosch University Cricket Club (Maties), the talented right-hander has steadily graduated through the ranks.

Tuesday brought an impressive 102 alongside fellow Cobras newcomer Janneman Malan, who also struck a century, against an opposition bowling attack punctuated with the international experience of seamers Beuran Hendricks and Dwaine Pretorius – and spinner Aaron Phangiso.

Bedingham’s vigil spanned 153 deliveries during more than three hours at the crease – and featured 13 fours and a trio of tall sixes.

The ton marked the fifth of a burgeoning career, but a first at franchise level, after four through the provincial circuit.

What went unfulfilled during brief cameos of 26 and 23 on debut against the Knights at Newlands in Cape Town last week, duly delivered on cue at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Tuesday.