DAY 2: Aaron Phangiso's half-century hands control to the Knights

Aaron Phangiso's second half-century of the season powered the Knights to 165/7 at stumps on the second day of their CSA 4-Day Series encounter against the Dafabet Warriors at Dafabet St George's Park on Friday.

The two teams were forced off the field due to bad light 30 minutes before tea. The conditions did not improve over the next few hours.

The Knights trail the Warriors by six runs with three wickets in hand. They are within touching distance of the home side's first innings score of 171. The Warriors batted through three sessions on day one and failed to capitalise on the platform constructed by Jiveshan Pillay (49) and JP King (43).

The Knights struggled to get going, thanks to Beyers Swanepoel's outstanding bowling. The pacer conceded only 13 runs in 11 overs on day two as he picked up from where he left off on day one. He was rewarded with a single wicket for his efforts. He finished the day with five wickets for 29 runs in 18 overs. This is his 10th First-Class five-wicket haul.

However, the star of the day was Aaron Phangiso. The seasoned campaigner scored a patient 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 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 was in the midst of a 17-run stand with Malusi Siboto 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.

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