Cobras bowlers put to the sword by Theunis, Keegan
THE quicker this opening Sunfoil Series match concludes, the better it will be for the Cape Cobras.
After a poor batting display on the opening day, which saw the visitors skittled for just 159 in 41 overs, it was the bowlers’ turn to under-perform yesterday.
Former Cobras batsman Keegan Petersen and Knights captain Theunis de Bruyn forged ahead during the first two sessions with the pair adding 295 runs for the second wicket. It was only when Petersen was dismissed for 141 (283 balls) that there was any relief for the Cobras, as they picked up a couple of wickets before tea.
But that was not before De Bruyn put his name right ahead 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) before falling just five runs short of well-deserved double ton.
David Miller, though, would have been disappointed with his effort yesterday. The 28-year-old has expressed a desire to be considered for the Proteas Test side 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 Dane Piedt.
However, there was no further relief for the Cobras with the Knights driving home their ascendency during the final session. An unbroken 137-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Rudi Second (65 not out) and Werner Coetzee (70 not out) flattened Piedt’s side with the Knights finishing the day 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 of their Sunfoil Series opener against the Dolphins, as they marched to a lead of 219 runs by day’s end.
Having dominated day one completely, the home side piled on the runs on the second morning, as they cantered to 451/7. The Dolphins would have hoped to make early inroads into the Titans’ tail, but they found former skipper Henry Davids (57) in mean mood.
Malusi Siboto saw fit to help himself to an obdurate 40 not out, as the Titans eventually settled for a cavernous 451/7 declared.
Robbie Frylinck ended with fine figures of 4/71. In reply, the Dolphins lost SJ Erwee early on, and never really got going.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld, still in good touch after a winter playing local cricket, sped to 53 off 63 balls, but got out just when he looked to be the man to mount a riposte for the men from Durban.
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, and then falling away.
Not to be outdone, Phehlukwayo wasted a hard-working 37 off 62 balls, as he was bowled by the part-time offerings of Davids late in the day.
That saw the Dolphins end the day on 232/6.
Rowan Richards (2/47) and Siboto (2/33) did the damage for the Titans, while Protea ace Morne Morkel started the rot with the new ball.