Zubayr shows valuable lessons learnt against Aussies
THE SUNFOIL SERIES remains wide open with just two rounds to play after Zubayr Hamza struck an unbeaten 109 to propel the Cape Cobras to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over the Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg yesterday.
Fresh from facing Australia’s Test pacemen last week in Benoni, the young righthander showed the valuable lessons he learnt at Willowmoore Park to spearhead his team’s run chase as the Cobras chased down their target of 227 with relative ease at the City Oval.
The victory – the Cobras’ first of the season – puts them firmly back in contention in the race for the four-day title after the defending champions, the Knights were held to a draw by the Highveld Lions, and the Warriors beat the previous log-leaders, the Titans, by 77 runs in East London.
In fact, the Warriors’ hardearned victory propelled the Eastern Cape team to the top the Sunfoil Series standings on 116.42 points.
The Cobras jumped to second place on 115.78 points – only 0.64 behind – while the Knights are in third place on 112.56, with the Titans in fourth on 110.76.
The Dolphins (99.40) and Lions (82.82) prop up the table in fifth and sixth place respectively.
Hamza, pictured, shared in a 149-run unbroken thirdwicket stand with Stiaan van Zyl, who followed his first innings score of 63 with 66 not out (99 balls) in the second innings.
The Cobras always appeared in control during the chase, despite losing Pieter Malan (18) and Andrew Puttick (20) when they had progressed to 78.
From then onwards, it was the Hamza-Van Zyl show as the target was reached in 65.1 overs, which was just after lunch on day four.
The Dolphins had started the day batting on 260/8 and they managed to reach 291 due to Robbie Frylinck, who was left stranded on 50 (68 balls).
Cobras debutant Junaid Dawood was the pick of the bowlers with 3/74.
In East London, the Warriors were not going to be denied a second victory this season despite Proteas allrounder Chris Morris striking his fourth first-class century.
Having being sent back to domestic cricket, primary to improve his bowling by national coach Ottis Gibson, 30-year-old Morris was intent on holding up the Warriors’ victory charge with a superb 113 off 184 balls.
But when he was trapped lbw by the home team’s captain JJ Smuts, the visitors’ resistance crumbled with last-man Tabraiz Shamsi following the very next ball as the Titans were dismissed for 248.
Smuts finished with 3/54, but it was seamer Tladi Bokako that did the real damage upfront.
Bokako decimated the Titans’ top-order, claiming all four wickets to fall, as he finished with figures of 4/43 from 16 overs.
Simon Harmer also collected another 3/89 as the competition’s leading wicket-taker finished with match figures of 8/163.
Meanwhile in Kimberley, the Lions foiled any chance of a Knights victory as they dug in their heels on the final day of their match.
The visitors closed their second innings on 194/4 with Rassie van der Dussen unbeaten on 64 off 116 balls when the rain arrived after tea that brought the match to an early end.