Lions now 12 points behind Cobras

The Highveld Lions are now just 12.14 points behind the Cape Cobras after they thumped them by 186 runs in their Four-Day Franchise Series match at Boland Park in Paarl yesterday.

The Cobras, needing an improbable 433 for victory, resumed on the final day on 186 for five and in-form opener Pieter Malan completed his third century of the season in the eighth over of the day.

But his defiant innings of 101 was ended two balls later when he was trapped lbw by the brisk Craig Alexander, and left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso had Dane Piedt stumped in the next over for one.

Jason Smith batted on until just before the advent of the second new ball, scoring a determined 74, but once he was caughtand-bowled by Alexander, the end came quickly with the Cobras all out for 246.

Alexander finished with three for 52, while spinners Aaron Phangiso (24-6-77-3) and Bjorn Fortuin (18-6-37-3) shared six wickets.

In Durban, the Titans made a strong effort to force a win in their rain-disrupted game against the Dolphins, but were ultimately denied by Vaughn van Jaarsveld’s dashing 133 and a 130-minute innings of 46 not out by Grant Roelofsen.

The Dolphins finished on 302 for eight, after the Titans had claimed a threatening first-innings lead of 195 as Eldred Hawken slammed 84 not out off just 59 deliveries, adding 103 for the ninth wicket with Tshepo Moreki (34).

Hawken then took three for 59 as he spearheaded the Titans’ game efforts with the ball.