Sinethemba Qeshile and Matthew de Villiers scored half-centuries as the Dafabet Warriors extended their lead over the Renault Potchefstroom North West Dragons in the second session of day three of their CSA 4-Day Series match at Dafabet St George's Park. The Warriors were on 274/7 at tea.
The Warriors lead the Dragons by 333 runs with three wickets in hand. The Warriors, who batted first, recorded a first innings score of 298. The Dragons managed 239 in reply. They had Patrick Kruger (49*) and Duanne Olivier (2*)at the crease at the interval.
Kruger, who imposed himself on the innings from the time he arrived at the crease, is one run away from his 11th first-class half-century. He has faced 49 balls for his unbeaten 49.
Qeshile scored 71 from 112 deliveries as the home side extended their lead over the visitors. The wicketkeeper made up for not converting a promising start in the first-innings, where he scored 27 off 40 balls. The 25-year-old faced 90 deliveries to register his 17th first-class half-century. The milestone came during his 80-run fifth-wicket partnership with De Villiers.
De Villiers had to take control of the innings after Achille Cloete had accounted for Qeshile's wicket. The former Western Province Colts player moved to Claremont Cricket Club and then was signed by the Warriors on a high-performance contract this year. The 24-year-old announced himself to four-day cricket with a well-played 94 in the fourth innings and he followed it up with an 86-ball 58. He faced 74 balls to reach his second first-class 50.
Achille Cloete bagged a brace of wickets in the post-lunch period as the Warriors clawed their way back into the contest. The medium pacer had figures of two for 60 in 17 overs. Wihan Lubbe took a solitary wicket to register figures that read, two wickets for 66 runs in 13 overs.