Malan is not the only man to shine for Cobras at Newlands

PIETER MALAN led a superb batting performance by the Cape Cobras as they gave themselves a chance of victory at the close of day three of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Warriors at Newlands yesterday.

The right-hander recorded his 25th career century and fell just shy of a double ton after amassing 195 to help bolster the hosts to 530/8 declared – a lead of 183.

Dane Piedt (1/9) then claimed the wicket of Gionne Koopman (7) in the six overs that were bowled before the close, to leave the Warriors on 12/1 – still 171 behind with a day to play.

Considering most of the first day was lost due to wet weather, it was a fine display from the home side and gave them every chance of forcing victory, with Malan not the only man to shine.

Aviwe Mgijima, Justin Ontong and Piedt all hit half-centuries, with the skipper plundering an unbeaten 52 from only 38 balls to help move the game swiftly forward.

Mgijima fell 10 short of a century after hitting 90, with Ontong making 69. The best of the bowlers for the Warriors was Basheer Walters with 3/112.

Meanwhile, the Titans have strong-armed their way into a winning position, and all that stands between them and the first outright victory of the Sunfoil Series is final day obduracy from the Dolphins, who leaked eleven wickets on a hot and testing third day in Pietermaritzburg yesterday.

Having settled on 500/6, they then bowled out the Dolphins for just 216 in their first innings.

Alfred Mothoa returned 3/30 in the first dig, in 14 nagging overs.

Malusi Siboto and the lively Cordin Bosch got a scalp apiece, as they all kept at the Dolphins. And, when they rested, Shaun von Berg and Shamsi wrought havoc in the Dolphins ranks, with spells that were as accurate as they were damaging.

Tabraiz Shamsi (3/37) finished the Dolphins’ innings off in a hurry, trapping Robbie Frylinck leg-before.

Senuran Muthusamy fought hard for his 64, until he was well held by the excellent Heinrich Klaasen down leg-side off Von Berg.

In the follow-on innings, Muthusamy fell early, but Sarel Erwee dug in, reaching a determined 88 not out at the close. Vaughn van Jaarsveld (39) stuck with him until late in the day, when Shamsi nailed him with a delightful wrong ‘un, to nab him leg-before.