Ramela ton gives Cobras handy lead over Knights

OMPHILE RAMELA struck his second century of the season to lead the Cape Cobras to 222/4 in their second innings at stumps on the third day of their Sunfoil Series match against the VKB Knights at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein yesterday.

The visiting captain hit 109 (201 balls, 16 fours, 2 sixes) as he and opening batsman Andrew Puttick, who scored 64 (174 balls, 8 fours), shared in an impressive second-wicket partnership of 165 that saw the Cobras end the day holding an overall lead of 187 runs over the hosts.

The Knights had been bowled out for 376 in their first innings, shortly before lunch, holding an overall lead of 39 runs, with off-spinner Dane Piedt ending with figures of 5/106, the 14th five-wicket haul of his career.

Werner Coetsee had begun the day on 104 and moved confidently to 149 (181 balls, 19 fours) as he and Malusi Siboto (44) put on 77 runs for the ninth wicket.

The stand was finally broken when Coetsee was dismissed by Piedt, who then ended the innings as he claimed his fifth wicket when he removed Siboto, who faced just 58 balls during his entertaining knock, courtesy of a caught and bowled effort.

The Knights made an impressive start with the ball during the Cobras’ second innings when paceman Duanne Olivier removed opening batsman Simon Khomari for a duck. But Puttick and Ramela rebuilt the innings before parttime bowler Reeza Hendricks struck twice in quick succession to remove Ramela and Stiaan van Zyl (2). The wickets were just the second and third that Hendricks had claimed in 103 first-class matches.

Puttick was dismissed shortly before the close of play after he and Justin Ontong had shared in a 36-run fourthwicket partnership.

Ontong ended the day on an aggressive 38 not out off just 45 balls that included seven fours.

Hendricks reached stumps with figures of 2/25.

Meanwhile, Tabraiz Shamsi claimed his second five-wicket haul of the match to take the Titans to the brink of victory over the Warriors at stumps on the third day at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

Titans’ openers Dean Elgar (26) and Heino Kuhn (29) then shared in an unbroken first-wicket partnership of 58 off 16 overs to leave the log-leading side needing just 82 runs to win the contest.

In the other match of the day half- centuries from Daryn Smit and Imraan Khan were not enough to stop the Dolphins slipping to 259/9 in their first innings before bad light forced an early close on the third day of their match against the Lions in Pietermaritzburg.

The Dolphins ended the day trailing the Lions by 257 runs on the first innings. – ANA