Gavin Kaplan scored a brilliant century to put Goldrush Boland in firm control of their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead on Friday. At stumps, Boland were on 330 for seven.
The home side won the toss and elected to bowl first. The two sides did not take to the field until the second day thanks to incessant rain. Boland had Kaplan (106*) and Aya Gqamane (12*) at the crease at the close of play. Play was stopped due to bad light.
Kaplan is enjoying a good run of form. The 26-year-old came into the contest on the back of a brilliant 166 against the Renault Potchefstroom North West Dragons. He faced 208 deliveries as he worked his way to a third first-class ton. Kaplan's unbeaten century will send a shiver down the opposition's spine because there is a chance he will score big unless he runs out of partners. His two previous tons have been north of 150.
Kaplan arrived at the crease after Blayde Capell had given Boland a good foundation with a brisk 50. The 27-year-old raced to a 39-ball half-century. This is Capell's 13th first-class half-ton and second 50 of the season. Capell, who moved to Boland from South Western Districts this season, made his red ball debut as a concussion substitute after Grant Roelofsen retired hurt against the Knights. Capell made the best of that opportunity by scoring 57 off 99 deliveries. He was dismissed for 50 off 42 balls.
Capell and Pieter Malan had shared an 81-run opening stand. Kaplan and Malan followed that up with a 144-run second-wicket partnership. Malan was the second Boland batter to reach 50 in the innings. The 35-year-old faced 108 deliveries to reach his 56th first-class half-century. This is Malan's second score of more than 50 runs this season. He was dismissed for 83 off 196 balls.
No other Boland batter reached the 40-run mark. Michael Copeland came closest to that with a well-played 37 off 81.
Prenelan Subrayen was the pick of the bowlers for the Dolphins with three wickets for 78 runs in 30 overs. He was well-supported by his spin partner, Bryce Parsons, who bagged a brace. Parsons finished the day with two wickets for 25 runs in 10 overs. Daryn Dupavillon and Okuhle Cele had a wicket each.
DOLPHINS: Sarel Erwee (capt), Tshepang Dithole, Slade van Staden, Bryce Parsons, Jason Smith, Romashan Pillay, Hanu Viljoen (wk), Andile Simelane, Prenelan Subrayen, Daryn Dupavillon, Okuhle Cele.
BOLAND: Pieter Malan, Blayde Capell, Gavin Kaplan, Aviwe Mgijima, Clyde Fortuin (capt)(wk), Michael Copeland, Keith Dudgeon, Shaun von Berg, Aya Gqamane, Glenton Stuurman, Akhona Mnyaka.