Superb Vilas ton puts Dolphins in the driving seat

AT THE Wanderers, a former resident in these parts, Dane Vilas, scored a sprightly century yesterday as the Dolphins took control of their Sunfoil Series match against the embattled Highveld Lions.

Vilas made 128 off just 152 balls, as the Dolphins ended day two on 318/7, a lead of 72 runs. Most importantly for the Dolphins, who came into this match with only an outside chance of challenging for the title, they may be able to put themselves more firmly in the mix, especially if they can add to their already impressive bonus point haul of 8.36 (4 for bowling and 4.36 for batting). They’ll need to add the 16 points for an outright victory to that figure, but they are certainly well placed in that regard.

The Lions added just 39 runs when they resumed in the morning to be bowled out for 246. Mangaliso Mosehle led a lower order fightback, scoring 42, while there was good support from Sean Jamison who finished not out on 22.

Eathan Bosch and young Okuhle Cele claimed three wickets each.

The Dolphins lost Sarel Erwee in the first over of their reply when he edged a full swinging delivery from Beuran Hendricks to Rassie van der Dussen at first slip. The Lions bowlers sought to stick to that fuller length, but missed the mark far too often, allowing Vilas, elevated to opener, and Vaughn van Jaarsveld to get their side off to a flier, despite the early loss of Erwee’s wicket. The pair scored at more than six runs an over during their second wicket partnership 89, hitting a series of thumping drives through the covers and mid-off regions.

Van Jaarsveld fell for 42 to the fifth ball bowled by leftarm spinner Aaron Phangiso but such was the momentum that he and Vilas provided, the Dolphins’ scoring rate didn’t drop below four an over for the remainder of the day.

Vilas was in excellent form, playing a wonderfully controlled innings. His driving was pure, and his back foot play through both off and leg side typically powerful as the 16th century of his first class career.

An unbroken opening partnership of 124 between veteran Andrew Puttick and Pieter Malan, ensured the Cape Cobras made significant in-roads into the Titans massive first innings total on day two of the Sunfoil Series match in Paarl.

The visitors had declared their first innings on 435/9, with Farhaan Behardien backing up Andrea Agathangelou’s first day century with one of his own yesterday, the ninth of his first class career. As is usually the case, particularly in the early stages of matches in Paarl, bat dominates ball, and the Cobras openers took advantage of batting friendly conditions, to keep themselves in touch.

No play was possible in East London, where the Warriors were 77/2 after bowling the Knights out for 188 on Thursday. Weather permitting the match was scheduled to resume this morning.