Dolphins pile on the runs

The Dolphins scored runs with ease on the opening day of the weather-shortened Sunfoil Series match against the Knights, the defending champions, at Kingsmead in Durban yesterday.

The first day was washed out and the Knights, with all the moisture about, unsurprisingly sent the Dolphins in to bat after winning the toss. But the pitch turned out to be a flattie and the home side plundered 343/5 in 80 overs before bad light stopped play.

The tone was set by opening batsman Sarel Erwee, who belted 151 off 197 balls, and an unbeaten 101 by Cody Chetty ended a fine day for the Dolphins.

The conditions were so bowler unfriendly that the Knights turned to the off-spin of part-time wicketkeeper Keegan Petersen, who was the most successful bowler with three wickets.

The batsmen were also right on top further down the coast in Port Elizabeth as the Cape Cobras reached 161/1 in reply to the Warriors’ 452/6 declared.

After captain Jon-Jon Smuts was trapped lbw by Dane Paterson on 49 in the third over of the day, Jerry Nqolo and Clyde Fortuin got to work putting the Warriors in a dominant position as they added 185 for the sixth wicket.

Fortuin was bowled by Lizaad Williams for 92 which brought about the declaration, but Nqolo managed to post his century, a fine knock of 105 not out.

Pieter Malan (63*) and Zubayr Hamza (75*) then ensured a solid start for the Cobras’ reply.

Henry Davids, above, also went to his century for the Titans on the second day of play in their match against the Highveld Lions at Centurion, and with the lower-order chipping in, especially Malusi Siboto with an unbeaten half-century, the home side were able to go to 452/7 before declaring.

Opener Reeza Hendricks went to a half-century and Nicky van den Bergh was 44 not out at stumps, but the Lions are going to need somebody to go big if they are to get close to the Titans score, as they closed on 170/4.

Meanwhile, England cruised to a nine-wicket win against the West Indies in the fifth and final one-day international in Southampton yesterday.

The tourists, seeking to end a long sequence of defeats against England, posted 288/6 despite becoming bogged down after a thrilling Chris Gayle cameo, with Shai Hope (72) the top-scorer.

England’s Jason Roy (96) and Jonny Bairstow put on 156 for the first-wicket in reply. – AFP