DAY 2: Hermann, Hamza, and Simmonds dominate on day two

DRAGONS V WARRIORS

Jordan Hermann scored a masterful century to shepherd the Dafabet Warriors to 277/6 on the second day of their CSA 4-Day Series contest against the Eastvaal Renault Dragons at the JB Marks Oval on Wednesday.

The total was in reply to the Dragons’ first innings score of 160. The visitors lead the Dragons by 117 runs with four in hand. The Warriors had Patrick Kruger (45*) and Thomas Kaber (14*) in the middle at stumps.

Hermann made up for the Warriors’ struggles with the bat with a brilliant 134 from 220 deliveries. The opener shared the crease with five batters, none of whom got to the 30-run mark. The left-hander fittingly reached his century with a boundary, off Dian Forrester’s bowling. He faced 170 balls to get to the milestone, which is his sixth first-class century.

Hermann’s 100-run fifth-wicket partnership with Patrick Kruger was the Warriors’ highest. Hermann was dislodged by Wihan Lubbe, who trapped him lbw late in the day.

Dian Forrester was the most successful bowler for the Dragons with two wickets for 48 runs in 14 overs. Onke Nyaku, Alfred Mothoa, and Wihan Lubbe finished the day with a wicket each.

LIONS V BOLAND

Johannesburg: Zubayr Hamza compiled a wonderful century to help the DP World Lions reach 293/6 at stumps in their contest against Goldrush Boland at the DP World Wanderers.

The Lions had Connor Esterhuizen (50*) and Bjorn Fortuin (33*) at the crease at the close of play. The duo were forced off the field by rain late in the day.

Hamza, who was unbeaten on 66 at the close of day one, added another 49 runs to his tally and was dismissed for a well-played 115 from 148 balls. This is Hamza’s 20th first-class century and he reached it during his 39-run fifth-wicket partnership with Connor Esterhuizen.

Hamza was dismissed while trying to leave an Akhona Mnyaka delivery, but didn’t get his bat out of the way quick enough. After his departure, Esterhuizen took his place as the anchor in the innings and stayed in the middle until rain disrupted proceedings in the post-lunch session.

Esterhuizen compiled a patient 112-ball 50, his third first-class half-century. His partnership with Fortuin was worth 68 runs.

Akhona Mnyaka was the pick of the bowlers for Boland with three wickets for 74 runs in 16 overs. He was supported by Shaun von Berg, Aya Gqamane, and Glenton Stuurman, who took a wicket each.

TUSKERS V WESTERN PROVINCE

Pietermaritzburg: Kyle Simmonds bagged his 12th first-class five-wicket haul as he helped WSB Western Province take control of their encounter against the Moothee Ram Tuskers.

Western Province, who are into their second innings, were on 41/2 with a 183-run lead over their hosts at the close of day two. The visitors batted first and scored 290 on day one. The Tuskers stumbled to 148 in their reply.

The hosts failed to reach half of Western Province’s first innings tally because of Simmonds’ brilliant bowling. The spinner took five wickets for 39 runs in 20 overs. This is his 12th first-class five-wicket haul. He was supported by Tshepo Moreki, who took a brace of wickets, while Dane Paterson, Josh Breed, and Mbulelo Dube took a wicket each.

Sean Whitehead led the scoring for the Tuskers with an unbeaten 46 from 76 balls. Kagiso Rapulana and Ntando Zuma chipped in with 33 runs apiece. Whitehead carried his form over to his bowling and took two early wickets in Western Province’s second innings.

Western Province had Juan James (21*) and Daniel Smith (20*) at the crease at the close of play. The pair will be looking to help put the game out of the Tuskers’ reach on Thursday.

TITANS V DOLPHINS

Centurion: Dayyaan Galiem produced a fantastic rear-guard effort to steer the Momentum Multiply Titans to 196/9 in their match against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at SuperSport Park.

The Titans, who had Galiem (49*) and Janco Smit (2*) at the crease at stumps, lead the Dolphins by 71 runs with a single wicket in hand. The Titans are replying to the visitors’ first innings total of 125.

Galiem arrived at the crease late on Wednesday and struck six fours and two sixes for his 38-ball 49. The allrounder farmed the strike as much as possible as he tried to protect the lower-order from the Dolphins’ pace attack. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. Simon Harmer, Duan Jansen, and Junior Dala fell for scores below five.

Okuhle Cele was the pick of the bowlers for the Dolphins with four wickets for 51 runs in 15 overs. This is his ninth first-class four-wicket haul. He was well-supported by Tristan Luus, who also bagged a four-wicket haul. Luus finished the day with four wickets for 63 runs in 14 overs. This is his third first-class four-wicket haul.