Joshua Richards was pleased with both his unbeaten century and the bonus points the Central Gauteng Lions picked up in their rain-affected 4-Day Series draw against the KZN Dolphins. KHUNULOGO MPOLOKENG reports.
The match at the Wanderers came to a close when the two captains decided to shake hands with 24 overs still to be played in the third session on day four on Sunday.
The Lions had just earned another batting bonus point after reaching the 250 mark, finishing on 250-2 in their first innings, although they were still trailing by 107, after bowling out the Dolphins’ for 357 earlier in the day.
Opening batsman Richards top-scored for the hosts with 130* off 198 balls, while Dolphins opener Tshepang Dithole was their top-performing batsman with 157 off 225 (19 fours, three sixes).
“It’s bittersweet to be 130*, but obviously the rain affected the game, so a draw was inevitable,” said Richards. “But I think the most important thing in this game was to try to get as many bowling and batting bonus points as possible and I think we achieved our target there.
“So we have the [Free State] Knights in Bloemfontein [this week]. We know it’s always hard graft when we go to Bloem, so we have to do the same thing [this week], we have to pitch up and we mustn’t take anything for granted. We must go there with a winning mentality, win that game and a home final will be great, and then do the same thing again.”
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The Lions will go into this week’s final round of round-robin fixtures leading the log with 104.14 points, while the Dolphins (91.5) dropped down to third following the Northerns Titans’ draw with North West Dragons in Centurion, which lifted them to second with 94.1 points.
Richards’ unbeaten century was important in helping the Lions get a few batting bonus points, while preventing their visitors from getting a single point for bowling, as they failed to take the third wicket they needed to earn the extra points.
“Every century is special, you don’t get tired of it,” said Richards. “It’s hard graft out there and I’m grateful for every century because, you never know, it could be your last, so I don’t take it for granted.
“The pitch was under covers for two days; there was something in it for the bowlers with the new ball. But, like with any wicket, the longer you bat the easier it gets. The bowlers weren’t ever out of it. You still had to apply yourself, be patient, wait for the bad ball and capitalise on that.
“It’s always nice to not let the opponents get that extra point, and in this four-day competition one point is a massive deal. I mean, last year we made a home final by 0.2, so every point counts and who knows what’s going to happen for you [this week].”
The two centurions in the match, Richards and Dithole, were named as the joint Players of the Match, and the Lions’ opener said he appreciates sharing the honours with a player who he knows well and appreciates watching.
“I have a lot of respect for Tshepang; I played a lot of cricket with him when he was still playing for the Strikers in Gauteng. A lot of respect for him; I think he’s an awesome guy, I think he’s a great batter and if I had to share it with anyone I’m grateful it’s him. He’s a good human being.”
Photo: @LionsCricketSA/X
