DAY 4: De Swardt registers his second five-wicket haul as Dragons battle against Lions

Ruan de Swardt registered his second first-class five-wicket haul as the Renault Potchefstroom North-West Dragons extended their lead over the DP World Lions on the fourth morning of their CSA 4-Day Series match at the JB Marks Oval on Sunday. At lunch, the Dragons were on 58 without loss.

The Dragons lead the Lions by 84 runs.

On day one, the Dragons won the toss, elected to bat first and registered a first-innings total of 425 for six declared. The visitors replied with a score of 399 for nine declared. The hosts had Matthew Kleinveldt (30*) and Janneman Malan (24*) at the crease at the interval.

In the first innings, Malan and Kleinveldt provided the Dragons with a solid 53-run opening stand to build on. The pair did more of the same in the second innings, with an unbeaten 58-run opening partnership for their side.

The Lions were on 374 for seven at the close of play on the third day. They had Bjorn Fortuin in the middle. The Lions spinner is enjoying a good run with the bat and registered his second century in back-to-back innings.

The 30-year-old added nine runs to his overnight score to finish with 120 runs from 140 deliveries. Fortuin was the fifth batter that Ruan de Swardt dismissed in the innings. Fortuin was the only wicket he took in the morning session. De Swardt finished the innings with five wickets for 67 runs in 26 overs.

Migael Pretorius was the other wicket-taker in the session. He dismissed Codi Yusuf 18 deliveries after Fortuin's dismissal. The 29-year-old pacer finished the innings with 3-110 in 24 overs. The two wickets taken by De Swardt and Pretorius ensured the Dragons a 26-run lead.

DRAGONS: Janneman Malan, Matthew Kleinveldt, Lesiba Ngoepe, Raynard van Tonder, Wihan Lubbe (capt), Ruan de Swardt, Taheer Isaacs (wk), Migael Pretorius, Achille Cloete, Odirile Modimokoane, Jaydon Brooker.

DP WORLD LIONS: Joshua Richards, Dominic Hendricks (capt), Zubayr Hamza, Wiaan Mulder, Khaya Fakude, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Delano Potgieter, Bjorn Fortuin, Codi Yusuf, Tshepo Moreki, Junaid Dawood.