Day 2: Dragons seize control from Knights

The Renault Potchefstroom North West Dragons took early wickets to seize control of the second day of their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Knights at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Friday. At lunch, the Knights were on 115 for six.

The Knights trail by 117 runs with four wickets in hand. The hosts had Lesego Senokwane (63*) and Aaron Phangiso (4*) at the crease at the interval.

The Knights were in freefall for most of their innings in the morning session. They lost four wickets as they tried to muster a reply to the Dragons' first-innings score of 232 for nine declared.

Migael Pretorius had an outstanding morning spell that handed control to the Dragons. He bagged two wickets in his first two overs of the day, dismissing Dian Forrester before he could add to his overnight score. He followed that up with the dismissal of Gihahn Cloete.

Lesego Senokwane and Patrick Botha stabilised the innings with a 48-run fifth-wicket partnership. Their stand held firm for most of the morning, and almost saw the Knights to lunch without further damage. However, it was undone by Ruan de Swardt around 40 minutes before the break. One wicket turned into two when Kerwin Mungroo clean-bowled Matthew Pollard.

Despite losing partners at regular intervals, Lesego Senokwane held firm and kept the home side's hope alive with an outstanding showing. The 27-year-old played an even-paced innings as he batted his way to a much-needed half-century. He faced 99 deliveries to record his seventh first-class half-ton. Senokwane's seventh-wicket partnership with Aaron Phangiso saw the home side past the 100-run mark and to the lunch interval without further damage.

Migael Pretorius is currently the pick of the bowlers for the Dragons with two wickets for 30 runs in 12 overs. Kerwin Mungroo also has a brace of wickets, but has a higher economy rate, after conceding 35 runs in 12 overs.

KNIGHTS:  Isaac Dikgale, Lesego Senokwane, Garnett Tarr, Dian Forrester, Gihahn Cloete (wk), Patrick Botha, Matthew Pollard, Aaron Phangiso, Dane Piedt (capt), Malusi Siboto, Johannes van Dyk.

DRAGONS: Matthew Kleinveldt, Rubin Hermann, Lesiba Ngoepe, Raynard van Tonder, Wihan Lubbe (capt), Ruan de Swardt, Meeka-eel Prince (wk), Migael Pretorius, Kerwin Mungroo, Achille Cloete, Odirile Modimokoane