Reeza ton lays solid Lions platform
The Highveld Lions batting finally clicked on the opening day of their CSA 4-Day Franchise Series match against the Knights in Kimberley, with Reeza Hendricks spending nearly four-and-a-half hours at the crease in notching up an unbeaten century.
Hendricks was on a wonderfully controlled 107 not out as the Lions, having won the toss and elected to bat, reached 316 for four at stumps.
The Proteas batsman was given a magnificent platform as openers Josh Richards and Dominic Hendricks plundered 110 runs for the first wicket inside 33 overs.
The 20-year-old Richards was making his franchise debut and he showed supreme confidence in blazing his way to 80 off just 102 deliveries.
Given that he has a first-class average of nearly 60, with six centuries in 11 games for Gauteng, he is clearly a great talent worth developing for the Lions.
Dominic Hendricks was more patient, occupying the crease for 287 minutes and scoring 76, an impressive innings which provided much solidity for a previously-struggling batting line-up.
Kagiso Rapulana (8) and Rassie van der Dussen (9) both failed, but captain Nicky van den Bergh scored 26 not out as he and Reeza Hendricks shared an unbeaten 48-run stand through to stumps.
Young Knights fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was the best of the bowlers with two for 43 in 18 overs.
In Port Elizabeth, the Warriors also produced a top-class batting display after winning the toss against the Titans. On a rain-affected day in which play was limited to 58 overs, the Warriors posted a solid 201 for two.
Opener Ed Moore set the tone with a pugnacious 55 up front, before Yaseen Vallie stroked his way to a lovely 83 not out. A dangerous Rudi Second is well-set on 36 not out to play a significant innings on the second day.
In Pietermaritzburg, another young opener, Grant Roelofsen, sent the Cape Cobras bowlers packing as he compiled a superb 113 not out that saw the Dolphins to 234 for four when bad light brought a premature end to the action after 63 overs.
With the in-form Dane Paterson dismissing experienced left-hander Vaughn van Jaarsveld for a second-ball duck and later trapping Cody Chetty lbw for six, there was the scent of a collapse in the air as the Dolphins slipped to 138 for four.
But with Roelofsen going to his maiden franchise century in determined fashion and Andile Phehlukwayo getting full value for his crisp strokeplay as he collected 10 fours and a six in his 61 not out off 77 balls, the fifth-wicket pair had put on 96 when play ended for the day.