DAY 2: Phangiso tilts the match in the Knights' favour

Aaron Phangiso scored a valiant half-century to lift the Knights to 165/7 in the post-lunch session of their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Dafabet Warriors at Dafabet St George's Park on Friday.

The Knights trail the Warriors by six runs with three wickets in hand. They had Aaron Phangiso (61*) and Malusi Siboto (2*) at the crease at the break.

Phangiso's half-century drew the visitors within six runs of the Warriors' first innings score when play was suspended due to bad light. Dane Piedt, the Knights' captain, asked the Warriors to bat first on day one. The hosts waxed and waned their way to 171.

Phangiso isn't renowned for his batting, however, it's not the first time he has performed a rescue job for the Knights this season. In their season opener, the seasoned campaigner scored a brilliant 73 to dig the Knights out of a hole when they made the trip to Boland Park.

The 41-year-old scored a patient and unbeaten 61 off 141 balls. This is his 10th First-Class half-century and he faced 128 deliveries to reach the milestone. Phangiso also crossed another landmark in his innings, he crossed the 2000-run mark in First-Class cricket.

Phangiso and Siboto had shared an unbroken 17-run stand when play was halted. Phangiso farmed the strike in that partnership. It succeeded a steadfast 72-run seventh-wicket partnership Phangiso shared with Dane Piedt. The two seasoned campaigners breathed new life into the Knights' reply. It was torn apart by CJ King, the Warriors' only wicket-taker in the afternoon session.

King has two wickets for 42 runs in 16 overs in the match. The pacer complemented Beyers Swanepoel's brilliant effort in the match. Swanepoel has taken five wickets for 29 runs in 18 overs.

WARRIORS: Jivesham Pillay, Jordan Hermann, Matthew de Villiers, JP King, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Senuran Muthusamy (capt), Patrick Kruger, Andile Mogakane, Beyers Swanepoel, CJ King, Alfred Mothoa.

KNIGHTS: Jacques Snyman, Lesego Senokwane, Isaac Dikgale, Patrick Botha, Gihahn Cloete (wk), Dian Forrester, Tiaan van Vuuren, Aaron Phangiso, Dane Piedt (capt), Malusi Siboto, Johannes van Dyk