Latest News and Match Day Reports from Day 1 of the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series.
Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras v Warriors in Cape Town
Tony de Zorzi’s unbeaten half-century helped the Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras edge a rain-shortened opening day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Warriors in Cape Town on Sunday.
The home captain shared in two half-century partnerships on his way to 54 not out (141 balls, 9 fours) as the hosts reached 146 for three in the 52 overs sent down at Six Gun Grill Newlands.
Support for De Zorzi came from Isma-eel Gafieldien (44) and Kyle Verreynne (42 not out), while Glenton Stuurman bagged two for 19.
The Cobras, searching for a first win of the campaign, won the toss and batted, but loss Pieter Malan (0) and Jonathan Bird (2) with only 15 on the board.
A 58-run third-wicket stand between De Zorzi and Gafieldien helped rebuild, before the skipper combined with Verreynne to add 73 for the next wicket leaving the Cape side with a marginal edge at the close.
VKB Knights v Momentum Multiply Titans
Neil Brand struck his fourth career century but seven shared wickets between Mbulelo Budaza and Migael Pretorius ensured it was the VKB Knights that held the advantage over the Momentum Multiply Titans as first-class cricket was broadcasted for the first time in more than a decade in South Africa.
The clash at SuperSport Park in Centurion marked the start of the penultimate round of the 4-Day Domestic Series, with the hosts bowled out for 263, before the visitors responded with 23 for none at stumps.
Left-hander Brand was the mainstay for the Titans with his innings of 107 off 221 balls (10 fours, 1 six), while the only real support came from captain Grant Thomson (52 off 98 balls, 7 fours).
Budaza (4/50) and Thomson (3/50) were the two men that kept the home side in check – ensuring the competition’s top side held the advantage in their top-of-the-table cross pool encounter.
It was overall an intriguing day, coinciding with the return of domestic red-ball cricket to television screens.
The home side won the toss, batted and went strongly for most of their innings by reaching 239 for four thanks to the Brand-Thomson stand that yielded 89 for the fifth wicket.
Shaun von Berg (2/54) broke the stand and the last six wickets eventually fell for a meagre 24 – Budaza and Pretorius making their presence known for the Knights.
Matthew Kleinveldt (12) and Jacques Snyman (10) then gave their side a strong start to leave their side trailing by 240 at the close.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins v Imperial Lions in Johannesburg
A maiden career century by Ethan Bosch rescued the Hollywoodbets Dolphins from an innocuous position and in turn helped them close day one of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter in control against the Imperial Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday.
The all-rounder struck an attacking 104 off 127 balls (16 fours, 2 sixes) as the visitors recovered from 162 for five to 341 for nine at stumps.
There were also important 40s by Keegan Petersen (48), Marques Ackerman (48) and Khaya Zondo (44) as the first-class season resumed after breaking in December.
Both teams, hoping to win the match in order to keep alive their prospects of reaching the final, battled hard but it was the Dolphins that finished in the stronger position after winning the toss and batting.
Sarel Erwee (26), together with Petersen and Ackerman, helped get their side to 136 for two, before three quick wickets left the total on 162 for five.
But a 119-run sixth-wicket partnership between Zondo and Bosch shifted the tide. The latter then went on to surpass his previous best score of 99 for KwaZulu-Natal against Northerns at Durban in 2017/18 on his way to a first red-ball ton.
Despite being one of three men to fall in the final seven overs, the Dolphins still ended in a strong position.
Lutho Sipamla was the pick of the Lions’ bowlers with three for 53, while there were two wickets each for Beuran Hendricks (2/64) and Sisanda Magala (2/56).
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