Ackermann inspires the Warriors on second day
A COLIN Ackermann inspired Warriors ended a frustrating second day of play in an even position in their Sunfoil Series clash against the BuildNat Cape Cobras at Buffalo Park yesterday.
Ackermann, the current Sunfoil Series leading run scorer, scored his fourth half century of the season and shared in a superb 101-run partnership with Yaseen Vallie as the Warriors ended the day on 175/5, trailing the Cobras by 116 runs with five wickets in hand.
Ackermann scored 89 before he was caught at mid-wicket off a top edge to become Dane Patterson's third wicket of the innings, while Vallie carried on and ended the day unbeaten on 56.
Patterson with 3/48 was the pick of the Cobras bowlers.
Overnight rain and bad light had seen the match delayed in the morning and just after tea, only allowing 42.3 overs to be bowled on the day.
The morning session was completely washed out and after taking an early lunch, the players finally got on the field at 1.15pm.
With the Warriors resuming on 5/1 the Cobras then struck early as Edward Moore (7) nicked a Patterson delivery with keeper Dane Vilas doing the rest behind the stumps2.
Lesiba Ngoepe then joined Ackermann at the crease and they steadied the ship with a positive 56-run stand, taking the Warriors past 50 before Ngoepe was caught in the slips by Stiaan van Zyl off the bowling of Jason Smith for 17.
Vallie was in next and he and Ackermann played superbly, scoring all around the wicket as they guided the Warriors to 141/3 at tea, with Ackermann bringing up his half century along the way.
There was a short delay for bad light straight after tea but once play resumed Vallie clubbed a four and then ran a three to bring up his own half century, while Ackermann kicked on, moving his score to 89 before his innings was finally ended.
Somila Seyibokwe then edged a swinging delivery from Rory Kleinveld in the next over to be removed for a duck and at the end of the next over play was called for bad light with the Warriors on 175/5.
Today's play gets under way at 9.30am and with two days of cricket remaining both teams will hope the weather improves.