Warriors’ Qeshile out for 99 but ...

Ken Borland

The Warriors hit back hard after the disappointment of their teenage batsman Sinethemba Qeshile being dismissed for 99 as they reduced the Knights to 154 for four at stumps on the third day of their Four-Day Domestic Series match in Port Elizabeth yesterday.

The Knights face a tough task to save the game on the final day today as they still trail the Warriors by 24 runs, with six wickets in hand. Much will depend on captain Pite van Biljon, who reached the close on 58 not out, building on the 52 scored by opener Luthando Mnyanda.

But the story of the day was the 19-year-old Qeshile falling agonisingly short of his maiden firstclass century. Qeshile made three half-centuries in his first four franchise innings but last week collected a pair against the Dolphins in Durban, so getting out for 99 was just another emotional moment in his sensational senior career thus far.

He had been stuck one run short of his hundred for nine balls before lunch and was then dismissed by the third delivery after the break as he flashed at a wide ball from Duanne Olivier (35.3-8-119-4) and was caught at third slip.

Qeshile had nevertheless ensured that the Warriors finished the first innings with a commanding 178-run lead, after starting the third day on 329 for seven, taking them to 457 all out.

He shared a partnership of 87 runs for the eighth wicket with Sisanda Magala (36) and Anrich Nortje (16*) – and Lutho Sipamla (11*) added a few useful extra runs before they once again troubled the Knights batsmen.

The Cape Cobras came up with a scheme late in the day to regain control of their match against the Dolphins at Newlands, with Dane Paterson taking three wickets in six balls to leave the visitors on 265 for seven, a lead of just 153 runs.