Cobras bowlers take big beating as De Bruyn, Petersen star
THE quicker this opening round of Sunfoil Series matches concludes the better it will be for the Cape Cobras.
After a poor batting display on the opening day, which saw the visitors rolled for just 159 in 41 overs, it was the bowlers’ turn to embarrass this once proud franchise yesterday.
Former Cobras batsman Keegan Petersen and Knights captain Theunis de Bruyn forged ahead during the first two sessions, the pair adding 295 runs for the second wicket. It was only when Petersen was dismissed for 141 (283 balls, 18x4) that there was any relief for the Cobras as they picked up a couple of wickets before the tea interval.
But that was not before De Bruyn put his name right at the head of the queue for a slot in the Proteas middle-order for the first Test against Bangladesh. The skipper struck a magnificent 195 (259 balls, 24x4, 1x6) before falling just five runs short of a double ton.
David Miller would have been disappointed with his effort yesterday. The T20 “gun-for-hire” has expressed a desire to be considered for the Test side and yesterday was the ideal day to lay down a marker. He was well set on 39 off 47 balls too, but was then trapped lbw by Piedt.
However, there was no further relief for the Cobras with the Knights driving home their ascendancy during the final session. An unbroken 137-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Rudi Second (65 not out, 8x4) and Werner Coetzee (70 not out, 8x4, 1x6) flattened Dane Piedt’s side with the Knights finishing on 551/4 – a lead of 392 runs.
The four Knights wickets to fall were shared between Dane Paterson (1/102), Tshepo Moreki (1/70), Piedt (1/128) and Justin Ontong (1/48).
Meanwhile, the Titans put their foot down on day two against the Dolphins.
Having dominated day one completely, the home side piled on the runs on the second morning, as they cantered to 451/7 declared. The Dolphins would have hoped to make early inroads into the Titans’ tail, but they found former skipper Henry Davids (57) in mean mood.
To have the experienced and attacking Davids walk in at number seven shows the immense depth that the Titans have, and the Dolphins were further frustrated by the so-called tail wagging. Malusi Siboto saw fit to help himself to an obdurate 40 not out.
Robbie Frylinck ended with fine figures of 4/71, but the Proteas pair of Keshav Maharaj and Andile Phehlukwayo were blunted by the Titans. In reply, the Dolphins lost SJ Erwee early, and never really got going.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld sped to 53 off 63 balls, but got out just when he looked to be the man to mount a riposte. Cody Chetty, with 41 off 78 balls, also flattered to deceive, making a start that he couldn’t build into something more substantial. Skipper Khaya Zondo fell into the same category, doing the hard work to get to 39 off 63 deliveries.
Not to be outdone, Phehlukwayo wasted a hard-working 37 off 62 balls, as he was bowled by part-timer Davids late in the day. That saw the Dolphins end the day on 232 for six, still 219 runs in arrears.
SCORES IN BRIEF
Titans 451/7 decl (A Markram 112, F du Plessis 96; R Frylinck 4/71). Dolphins 232/6 (V van Jaarsveld 53, C Chetty 41; M Siboto 2/33). Warriors 503 (JJ Smuts 117, E Moore 115, D White 95, C Fortuin 65; W Mulder 4/70). Lions 91/2 W Mulder 25*, R van der Dussen 25; S Magala 2/23)