Shadley van Schalkwyk has set the bar high in the opening round of the Sunfoil Series, taking eight wickets in the Knights’ opening clash against the Cobras.
The Cape Town-born seamer was pivotal in the Knights’ first-innings destruction of the Cobras when he picked up a five-for to help skittle the visitors for 159.
The 29-year-old opened his account with the perfect first scalp, ending Hashim Amla’s (56) initial dominance. He added further misery with a double in the 27th over, dismissing the experienced Justin Ontong and Aviwe Mgijma for a duck.
He then added another Proteas batsman to his list, Temba Bavuma out on 25, followed by Tshepo Moreki to finish with a five-for, as the Cobras were all out in 41 overs.
The Knights’ dominating batting display saw them score 623-4d, as they set a massive 464-run target for the Cobras.
Van Schalkwyk teamed up with Eddie Leie to give the Knights the perfect start, when the former struck first to dismiss Puttick again, followed by a brace from Leie in the 20th over to see the hosts stunned at 58-3.
What followed was a masterclass performance by Amla, Ontong and Mgijima, who scored 189, 158 and 112 respectively.
Despite Van Schalkwyk dismissing both Ontong and Mgijima, the Cobras finished the fourth day on 567-6, to salvage a draw on day four.
Van Schalkwyk will hope that his solid start will see him improve on his efforts last season, which saw him end seventh on the bowling charts with 29 wickets, as the Knights were crowned champions.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
