Dolphins keep Lions at bay
Defiant half-centuries by Marques Ackerman and Sibonelo Makhanya kept the Highveld Lions at bay yesterday and allowed the Dolphins to take their Sunfoil Series match at the Wanderers into the fourth and final day.
After the Lions had racked up 495 for eight declared and led by 260 runs on first innings, the Dolphins crashed to 31 for four before Ackerman and Makhanya added 110 for the fifth wicket.
While Ackerman was run out half-an-hour before the close for 62, Makhanya made it through to stumps on 75 not out and helped the visiting team to 173 for five and cut the deficit to 87.
Proteas all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius was the best of the Lions bowlers with two for 21 in 13 overs.
Earlier, Rassie van der Dussen scored 154 not out, a great knock on a sporty pitch, and shared crucial partnerships of 93 for the eighth wicket with Malusi Siboto (43) and an unbeaten 72 for the ninth wicket with Migael Pretorius, who made his maiden franchise half-century.
Van der Dussen then claimed the first wicket to fall in the Dolphins second innings, bowling Grant Roelofsen (5) with a superb delivery that pitched middle-and-off and knocked over the off-stump, and later ran out Ackerman to cap an excellent day for the 24-year-old.
Seamer Keith Dudgeon was the best of the Dolphins bowlers with career-best franchise figures of four for 115 in 32 overs.
New Protea George Linde also had a day to savour at Newlands as his maiden franchise century put the Cape Cobras ahead against the Warriors.
Linde, who took three wickets with his orthodox left-arm spin in the Warriors’ first innings, bolstered his all-round credentials as he came in with the Cobras 159 for five, which then became 202 for six when mainstay Matthew Kleinveldt fell for 92.
Linde hit 12 fours and a six as he scored a marvellous 122 under pressure, lifting the home side to 379 all out, a lead of 29.
The tail also batted responsibly as Dane Piedt (11), Thando Ntini (40) and Dane Paterson (13*) ensured that 177 runs were added for the last four wickets.
Paceman Glenton Stuurman enjoyed career-best franchise figures of five for 72 in 30.3 overs for the Warriors.
Off-spinner Piedt then had the Warriors reeling at 32 for two at stumps as he bowled both openers, Ed Moore (21) and Matthew Breetzke (5), meaning the visitors will go into the final day with some trepidation as they are just three runs ahead with eight wickets in hand.
In Bloemfontein, the Knights bowlers shared out the wickets as the Titans were bowled out for just 211 and the follow-on was enforced with the visitors trailing by 330 runs on first innings.