Captain Marques Ackerman led from the front with a fine century that helped the Dolphins command a rain-shortened opening day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter with the log-leading Lions in Pietermaritzburg on Monday.

The left-hander struck 107 (138 balls, 13 fours, 1 six) – his seventh first-class ton – as the hosts reached 231-2 before afternoon showers forced an early close at the City Oval.

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Only 60 overs were sent down in total with Sarel Erwee also sizzling by ending the day 11 shy of his century. The opener was unbeaten on a far more sedate 89 (213 balls, 10 fours), handing the home side all the aces after they won the toss and batted.

The only two wickets to fall were those of Grant Roelofsen (9) to the in-form Eldred Hawken (1-56) and Ackerman, who had shared a fine 194-run second wicket partnership with Erwee.

Vaughn van Jaarsveld (6) was the other man unbeaten at the close of an excellent start for the Dolphins.

Meanwhile, there was no play on the opening day of the 4-Day Domestic Series encounter between the Warriors and Knights on Monday as the teams were left frustrated by rain in East London.

The two sides, currently second and third on the table, respectively, are both in need of victory to keep pace with competition leaders the Imperial Lions.

Conditions on day one of the round-seven fixture helped neither, though, as they now have to try to pursue a result in three days at Buffalo Park, where the forecast is slightly better for the rest of the week.

The defending champion Lions currently lead the way in the competition with a more than 20-point lead over the Warriors, with the Knights trailing the leaders by a mammoth 35 points.

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