DAY 1: Warriors' Stubbs strikes first double-century, Smith ton leads Province blitz

Tristan Stubbs struck his first double-century as he and Matthew Breetzke (141*) led the Dafabet Warriors to an intimidating 368 for two in 98 overs against the AEK Tuskers on the first day of their CSA 4-Day Series match at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.

It was a remarkable feat of concentration for both men – better known for their exploits on the various T20 circuits – as they have so far added 348 for the third wicket.

That is already comfortably a record for the third wicket in franchise cricket this season and it’s only 14 short of the all-time franchise record for the wicket. It’s also the biggest partnership for any wicket this season.

True Warriors ⚔

These 2️⃣ have been box office @WarriorsCrickEC 🍿🎬#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #4DaySeries pic.twitter.com/t4vARIHGLb

— DomesticCSA (@DomesticCSA) February 21, 2024

The Tuskers must have hoped for better, at least in the early going, as paceman Mondli Khumalo claimed the wickets of Jiveshan Pillay for a duck and Jordan Hermann for two (in 30 balls) in the first 10 overs after the Warriors had won the toss and chosen to bat.

Pillay was nicely pouched by Michael Erlank in the gully and Hermann edged a ball outside his off-stump to wicketkeeper Ntando Zuma.

That made the score 20 for two in 10 overs and the prospect of more to come.

After that, however, there were no further rewards for the bowlers as Stubbs and Breetzke built their monumental partnership.

Breetzke, in particular, would have been happy with his contribution (284 balls, 13x4s) as he has struggled for runs in the first-class format this season, accumulating only 42 runs in his previous 10 innings.

It was his seventh first-class ton. It was Stubbs’s second first-class hundred of the season, and his fifth overall.

So far, he has scored 208 in 268 balls in a flowing innings that has included 26 fours and three sixes.

Khumalo was the only bowler who tasted success, claiming 2-62 in 16 overs while paceman Keith Dudgeon was tidy, conceding only 38 runs in 15 overs.

TUSKERS: Cameron Shekleton; Daelen Fynn; Jared Meiring; Kagiso Rapulana; Keith Dudgeon; Malcolm Nofal; Michael Erlank (c); Mondli Khumalo; Ntando Zuma (wk); Smangaliso Nhlebela; Yaseen Valli

WARRIORS: Beyers Swanepoel; Jiveshan Pillay; Jordan Hermann; Matthew Breetzke (c); Patrick Kruger; Renaldo Meyer; Rudi Second; Sinethemba Qeshile; Siya Plaatjie; Siya Simetu; Tristan Stubbs

SMITH TON LEADS PROVINCE BLITZ ON DOLPHINS’ BOWLERS

Daniel Smith hit his second first-class century while Gavin Kaplan and Kyle Verreynne flayed the tired bowling at the death as Western Province powered to 399 for three in 98 overs on the first day of their key CSA 4-Day Series clash against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at Newlands in Cape Town.

It was the perfect start for the home team who began the match 11 points behind the log-leading Dolphins and knew they probably needed a victory and a plentiful sack of bonus points to qualify for the final next week.

STUMPS DAY 1 | World Sports Betting Western Province 399/3 (98).

Kaplan (93*), Verreynne (60*). Smith 106, de Zorzi 72, Vallie 45.

Subrayen 2/31. #WPcricket #westernprovince #BoysInBlue💙 #4DaySeries #WozaNawe #WSBWP pic.twitter.com/RodhENhe52

— Western Province Men (@WP_Blitz) February 21, 2024

The home team won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first on what looked like a superb pitch for batting.

Openers Tony de Zorzi and Smith batted through to lunch, reaching it on 111 without loss.

They had reached 179 in mid-afternoon before both openers lost their wickets to offspinner Prenelan Subrayen playing similar slog-sweeps that found fielders.

Smith, 21, hit 18 fours in his 173-ball 106 while De Zorzi struck 72 in 139 balls, including eight fours.

But if the Dolphins were hoping to slow down the home team’s momentum they were quickly forced to think again as Mohammad Vallie (45) and Gavin Kaplan cracked on the pace with a third-wicket partnership of 107 before Vallie was bowled by Ottniel Baartman.

Once again the Province batsmen didn’t hesitate as Kaplan (93* in 149 balls, including 16x4s) and a belligerent Kyle Verreynne (60* in 58 balls, including 4x4s and 6x6s) battered the visitors’ bowling for a further 89 in 18 overs for the fourth wicket.

WESTERN PROVINCE: Kyle Verreynne (capt, wk), Beuran Hendricks, Daniel Smith, GaKaplan, Kyle Simmonds, Mohammad Vallie, Nandre Burger, Onke Nyaku, Tony de Zorzi, Valentine Kitme, Wesley Bedja

HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS: Sarel Erwee (capt), Tshepang Dithole (wk), Andile Simelane, Bryce Parsons, Eathan Bosch, Jason Smith, Jon-Jon Smuts, Marques Ackerman, Okuhle Cele, Ottniel Baartman, Prenelan Subrayen