Duanne Olivier bagged his fourth five-wicket haul this season as the match between the Knights and the Warriors goes down to the wire.
The Knights will go into the fourth and final day with a slight edge over their opponents as a late burst from the pacemen saw the Warriors slip to 73-3, with 249 runs still required for victory.
The Warriors went into day three on 244-7 after the Knights posted an imposing 431 in their first innings. Useful knocks from Simon Harmer (75) and Sisanda Magala (79) carried the visitors to 299 all out, but it was Olivier to thank for cleaning up the tail, notching up figures of 6-82, with Marchant de Lange (4-98) taking the rest the previous day.
There were three innings played at the Mangaung Oval on Saturday, as the Knights collapsed to 189 all out, with Andrew Birch standing out with figures of 3-11 from his 9.3 overs. Rudi Second, who smashed 151 in the first innings, top-scored again with 37.
That left the Warriors needing 322 for victory, but they’ve found the going tough so far, with the top three all losing their wicket as Olivier, De Lange and Mbulelo Budaza took a wicket apiece. It sets up an intriguing final day.
At SuperSport Park meanwhile, the defending champions the Titans, who are looking to move back into first place this weekend, are the ones off the pace in their match against the Cobras.
After being skittled for 195 in the rain-affected match, the visitors responded with 326, as Justin Ontong (110) hit a 25th first-class hundred. Jason Smith proved a useful partner, scoring a watchful 69.
It means that another Titans collapse on Sunday could leave them in dangerous territory. Then go into it on 20-0, with Aiden Markram on six and Heino Kuhn on 14, trailing by 111 runs.
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
