DE ZORZI'S RECORD-BREAKING TRIPLE TON PUTS WP ON TOP
Six Gun Grill Western Province opener Tony de Zorzi smashed an unbeaten record-breaking triple century after the hosts declared on 575/7 before leaving the ITEC Knights in early trouble at 34/1 at stumps on day two of Friday's CSA 4-Day Franchise Series encounter.
Opener De Zorzi was in sublime form as he backed up last week's century with a triple ton for Western Province at a sunny but windy Six Gun Grill Newlands.
De Zorzi continued his onslaught and scored the highest individual first-class score in Newlands history. He also surpassed Pieter Malan's previous best score of 264 for Western Province.
#4DaySeries@WP_Blitz batter @Tonydezorzi33 becomes the holder of the highest individual first-class score at Six Gun Grill Newlands in history - 3?0?4?*#BePartOfIt #SummerOfCricket pic.twitter.com/x7cQaqhn8E
— DomesticCSA (@DomesticCSA) November 25, 2022
The Knights' bowling attack could not stop De Zorzi and partner George Linde as the duo shared a 147-run partnership.
Linde fell four runs short of a half-century as he fell for a valiant 46 off 83 balls after being caught off the bowling of Aubrey Swanepoel.
Beuran Hendricks didn't last long in the middle, scoring seven and becoming Gerald Coetzee's fourth victim (4/117).
But the day belonged to De Zorzi, who played a splendid knock and remained unbeaten on 304 off 381 balls (hitting 28 fours and seven sixes), as WP declared on 575/7 with a lead of 464 runs.
The Knights got off to the worst possible start in their second innings as Dane Paterson bowled Matthew Kleinveldt for 14.
Opener Isaac Dikgale is unbeaten on 15 and will be joined by Knights' skipper Pite van Biljon on Saturday, with Day 3 scheduled to begin at 10:00.
ERWEE GIVES DOLPHINS THE EDGE AT RAIN-HIT KINGSMEAD
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins remain on 135/4 and lead by 76 runs as stumps was called early on day two of the CSA 4-Day Franchise Series against the Gbets Rocks on Friday in Durban.
Rain saw that no ball was bowled in the morning session as the hosts resumed on 76/2 in Durban.
The Dolphins could only add 59 runs to their overnight score as Proteas test opener Sarel Erwee notched up a fine half-century.
Khaya Zondo was trapped LBW by Shaun von Berg for 7 when play resumed after lunch.
But it was Erwee who stood tall thanks to a 57-run partnership with Jason Smith, as he scored 76 off 144 balls (hitting 10 fours) before he was caught off the bowling of Shaun von Berg.
Erwee scored 76 off 146 balls (hitting 10 fours) before he became Von Berg's third wicket.
Smith remained on 23 not out alongside allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo on one before the players were called from the field due to bad light.
IN-FORM BREETZKE PUTS WARRIORS IN CRUISE CONTROL
After his unbeaten century in the morning, Dafabet Warriors batter Matthew Breetzke notched up a half-century with the hosts on top on 150/3 and leading by 415 runs at stumps on day two against the North West Dragons at St George's Park.
Breetzke started Friday with an unbeaten 112 off 233 balls (including nine fours and a six) as the Warriors posted 381.
The Dragons could not settle in, and thanks to a superb bowling effort by allrounders Beyers Swanepoel and Marco Jansen, the Dragons were bundled out for 116.
Nicky van den Bergh top-scored with a well-played half-century and tried to keep the Dragons' batting line-up together, but wickets fell all around him.
Van der Burgh made 53 off 99 balls, including nine fours, before he was Swanepoel's final victim as early tea was called.
Proteas allrounder Marco Jansen finished with three for 40, but Swanepoel's superb spell put the hosts in control as he returned figures of four for 19.
The Warriors went to bat for the last time and were stunted by a fiery spell by Delano Potgieter, who got the early wickets of Kyle Jacobs (1) and Lesiba Ngoepe (2).
Breetzke and opener Jordan Hermann shared a vital 119-run partnership before Hermann departed for 64 off 111 (hitting eight fours and a six).
Breetzke remains unbeaten on 69 off 108 balls alongside Rudi Second on 7 not out.
WEATHER STUNS TITANS' COMEBACK AFTER RICKELTON TON
Half-centuries by Neil Brand and Dean Elgar helped the Momentum Multiply Titans sit on 173/1 and trail by 181 runs before the weather called stumps early on day two of the CSA 4-Day Franchise Series match against the DP World Lions at the Bullring on Friday.
Brand and Elgar put on a 107-run opening stand before Elgar was caught and bowled by Sisanda Magala for 55 off 97 runs (hitting nine fours).
It was the only wicket lost for the Titans in the day as the weather dampened what was a brilliant day of batting for both sides.
Earlier on, Ryan Rickelton, who was snubbed by the Proteas for their three-match test series against Australia, scored a stunning century as he made an unbeaten 108 off 248 balls (hitting 13 fours and two sixes).
The Lions put up a competitive 354 despite spinner Simon Harmer's stellar seven-wicket haul.
