Malan instrumental in Cobras’ lead

Cape Cobras opener Pieter Malan continued to push himself forwards in the queue of potential Proteas batsmen as he took almost sole responsibility for ensuring his team gained a first innings lead on the second day of their Four-Day Franchise Series match against the Knights at Newlands yesterday.

Malan’s tremendous 118 not out, a determined effort that saw him bat through the day and face 282 deliveries, took the Cobras to 302 for six at stumps, a lead of 23.

No other batsmen scored more than Aviwe Mgijima’s 40.

In last season’s four-day competition, Malan collected 892 runs at an average of 55.75 – with four centuries – and, having earned SA A selection in the interim, he began the new summer in the best way possible.

Veteran seamer Ryan McLaren led the Knights’ bowling effort with three for 47 in 20 accurate overs.

The drought-stricken Port Elizabeth area was no doubt very excited to see rain yesterday, but it did rather ruin the second day of the match between the Warriors and the Highveld Lions, with just 41 overs of play possible.

Resuming on 305 for seven, Sinethemba Qeshile enjoyed a memorable 19th birthday as his innings of 58 carried the Warriors to 345 all out and also announced him as an exceptional talent, having now scored a half-century in both of the franchise innings he has played at such a young age.

Fast bowlers Migael Pretorius and Beuran Hendricks took the last three wickets to finish with three wickets apiece, but the crafty spin of Aaron Phangiso delivered him the best figures for the Lions of four for 61 in 26 overs.

Proteas batsmen Stephen Cook (48*) and Temba Bavuma (24*) were just settling into what promised to be an exciting partnership when the rain arrived, with the Lions on 105 for two.