Just 14 wickets fell across the four days at Newlands, as the Cape Cobras ended their Sunfoil Series losing streak with a draw against the Warriors.
The draw will perhaps come as light relief to Cobras coach Paul Adams, who has had a turbulent period on and off the field of late. When the Warriors eased to 525-7 dec, he probably thought that more carnage was on the cards after losing the opening two games comfortably.
Colin Ackermann’s mammoth 146 helped the visitors along to that total, but an even bigger score came from Cobras skipper Omphile Ramela, who finally found some form after a lean start to the season. As Adams called on the eve of the match, his senior players stepped up as Andrew Puttick (124) scored a ton too, putting on 266 with his opening partner.
With the match heading towards an inevitable draw going into day four, the Cobras added another 193 runs to their overnight total before both sides agreed enough was enough with the Cobras on 567-7. Jason Smith (63) and Aviwe Mgijima (54) both scored fifties in what was nothing more than batting practice.
There was another stalemate in Kimberley meanwhile, as the Knights went to the top of the Sunfoil Series standings with the draw against the Highveld Lions.
A career-high 177 from David Miller got the Knights to 572 in response to the Lions’ 483, leaving the hosts as the only side capable of producing a victory. They had a sniff of it at one stage, as the Lions struggled to 204-7, but fifties from Dwaine Pretorius (80) and new recruits Mangaliso Moselle (67) assured there was no chance of a late chase as they ended up on 310-9 at the close. Dianne Olivier impressed with the ball once again in that innings, taking 6-93.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
