Hamza, Malan lead Cobras fightback in Oudtshoorn

HALF-CENTURIESbyZubayr Hamza and Pieter Malan ensured the Cape Cobras reached the halfway stage of their Sunfoil Series encounter against the Dolphins in a solid position at the Recreation Ground in Oudtshoorn yesterday.

The hosts reached stumps on day two with 284/6 on the board – trailing the visitors’ 327 that was made earlier in the day by 43.

Hamza and Malan were the two key men for the Cobras contributing 88 (142 balls, 13 fours) and 56 (99 balls, 8 fours) respectively, while Justin Ontong hit 49.

There was still further batting to come with set men Kyle Verreynne (19) and Vernon Philander (18) due to resume today.

Kerwin Mungroo was the pick of the Dolphins bowlers with his 2/41.

Earlier, Dane Vilas went on to make 161 (200 balls, 21 fours, 1 six) as the men from KwaZulu-Natal lost their last two wickets for 17.

Philander was the best of the bowlers on his return from injury after he ended with 4/25.

Elsewhere, Ayavuya Myoli’s four wickets led a spirited fightback from the Highveld Lions as they bounced back on the second day of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Titans at the Wanderers in Johannesburg yesterday.

The 27-year-old fast bowler bagged 4/82 to help the hosts, who were dismissed for 180 on day one, restrict the visitors to 213 all out – a difference of just 33.

And by the close, that deficit was wiped out after the Lions closed the round five encounter on 104/3.

There were two noteworthy performances with the bat for the Titans.

Having resumed at the start on 96/2, captain Aiden Markram went on to top score with 85 (168 balls, 16 fours).

Shaun von Berg was the other key contributor with his unbeaten 63 (114 balls, 10 fours, 1 six).

For the home team, there were also two wickets each for Bjorn Fortuin (2/9), Wiaan Mulder (2/26) and Hardus Viljoen (2/54) in an excellent bowling display.

Some of the hard work was undone when they returned to bat as the top three were all dismissed in the 42 overs they faced.

Stephen Cook made five, Reeza Hendricks 26 and Omphile Ramela 32, with their wickets going to Migael Pretorius (1/35), Alfred Mothoa (1/6) and Lungi Ngidi (1/20) respectively.

However, the Lions will be optimistic of building on their 71-run lead through unbeaten pair Rassie van der Dussen (26) and Nicky van den Bergh (9).

Meanwhile, a wet outfield prevented any play from taking place on day two of the Sunfoil Series encounter between the Knights and the Warriors at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley yesterday.