A quickfire hundred from Stephen Cook put the Highveld Lions in a commanding position against the Knights in Potchefstroom.

After the left-arm spin of Bjorn Fortuin had helped bowl out the Knights for 261, and given the Lions  a 203-run lead on the first innings, Cook and Co went in to build a fortress.

Although Reeza Hendricks and Omphela Ramela fell cheaply, Cook found a willing partner in Rassie van der Dussen, who smashed an unbeaten 67 off 81 balls. He and Cook put on 155, enabling the Lions to declare at 198-2. offering a target of 402. Cooks unbeaten hundred had taken 144 balls, with 13 fours.

Earlier, Fortuin made some telling breakthroughs on his way to 6-78, counting among his victims the opener Luthando Mnyanda, who had contributed 61 to an opening stand of 113, and Theunis de Bruyn, the captain, for 2. He also dismissed the dangerous Ryan McLaren for 24 as he wrapped up the tail.

The Knights had resumed their innings at 154-3, but Keegan Petersen was dismissed five overs into the day by Hardus Viljoen, having added just one to his overnight score and the slide began. Rudi Second, 15 overnight, advanced to 50, but within 30 overs, the Knights had folded.

They were 35-1 at the close, still needing 375 runs to win

Highveld Lions vs Knights scorecard

Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix