Lions all-rounder Bjorn Fortuin was quick to praise teammate Delano Potgieter, after this week’s record-breaking partnership in a key 4-Day Franchise Series fixture against the Warriors at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

Fortuin and Potgieter struck 183 and 145 respectively, pushing the hosts from a precarious 96 for six to a dominant 397 for seven – and eventually 440 all out.

They shared a record-breaking 301-run partnership, with Potgieter particularly impressive on franchise debut in the absence of fellow all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who was added to the Proteas squad for the fifth and final ODI against Pakistan at Newlands in Cape Town.

‘The bowlers put us under a bit of pressure. But myself and Delano, we knew we had to apply ourselves. We knew that if we could get some of their bowlers into their third or fourth spells there would be an opportunity to cash in with runs – and that’s what we tried to do,’ Fortuin told the Lions’ official website.

‘In Potchefstroom, you get good value for shots – and the outfield is very, very quick. That played well into our hands. Credit to Delano, of course, who batted very well.’

The Lions currently occupy second position in the tournament’ six-team standings – and are chasing the log-leading Cape Cobras for the title.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi | Gallo Images