More ‘bore draws’ in first-class cricket

THE Cape Cobras would have gone to bed on Wednesday evening harbouring ambitions of achieving the first Sunfoil Series victory of the 2017-18 season.

The home side enjoyed a 171-run first innings lead at the start of the final day, and had already claimed one of the 10 wickets needed to set up an interesting finish.

However, Warriors duo Colin Ackermann and Eddie Moore ensured this remained merely a pipedream. The duo shared a 214-run second-wicket partnership that left the captains with no other option but to shake hands on a draw at the tea interval, with the score on 229/2.

The Cobras required early wickets if anything was to happen, but these were not forthcoming. There was a halfchance for home team skipper Dane Piedt at slip during the first session, but he was not able to grasp the opportunity.

After that let-off, there were no further chances, with Ackermann and Moore’s broad bats keeping the Cobras at bay until the former was finally dismissed for 105 (190 balls, 16 fours).

Moore, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 101 off 186 balls. The only bowler to pick up a wicket on the day was Cobras debutant Mthiwekhaya Nabe, who could at least celebrate his maiden franchise wicket.

The Sunfoil Series continues to be an uphill battle for the bowlers, with no team able to achieve an outright victory after four rounds of the competition.

Cody Chetty produced his finest knock as a franchise player, while Sarel Erwee continued his excellent form of this season, as the Dolphins stood firm and defied the Titans in a second stalemate inside a month in the series.

As in Pretoria, the Dolphins went into the final day in Maritzburg with two wickets already down, having been asked to follow on.

Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Erwee added 100 for the second wicket. Van Jaarsveld’s lot was 39 but, in the bigger scheme of things, his lowest score of the season was actually his most valuable contribution to the cause. He was undone by a clever Tabraiz Shamsi googly, to be trapped leg-before. Erwee bludgeoned his way to a ton off 163 balls, with 14 fours and a six into the pavilion.

The Dolphins were looking composed, but then Erwee (132) was bowled by Alfred Mothoa’s slower ball. Beyond the midday fare, skipper Khaya Zondo contributed 23. Once the skipper departed, Kolpak signing Dane Vilas (58 not out from 68 balls) upped the pace. With the Dolphins leading by 143 at tea, the two sides called a truce.

Potchefstroom: Lions 464 and 198/2 decl. Knights 261 and 238/3 (K Petersen 71, L Mnyanda 69) l Match drawn