DITHOLE CLINCHES DRAW WITH UNBEATEN 93 AT KINGSMEAD
Opener Tshepang Dithole was unbeaten on 93 as the Hollywoodbets Dolphins reached 190 for three at tea in their second innings on the final day of their CSA Four-Day Series match against the DP World Lions at Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday.
His innings enabled the Dolphins to wipe off a 166-run deficit and lead by 24 – persuading both teams to shake hands on a draw on a docile pitch.
Dithole, who scored 59 in the first innings, struck 12 fours in his 170-ball innings, with Jon-Jon Smuts helping him to add an unbroken 62 for the fourth wicket.
Sarel Erwee had earlier helped Dithole add 58 for the first wicket before falling leg-before to Tshepo Moreki. First innings centurion Marques Ackerman went for 17, bowled by Codi Yusuf, while Jason Smith was bowled by Tsepo Ndwandwa for 19.
The Dolphins compiled 245 for nine declared in their first innings, thanks largely to a career-best 140 by Ackerman.
The Lions replied with a commanding 411 for eight in their first innings thanks to major contributions from Zubayr Hamza (98), Wandile Makwetu (65), Bjorn Fortuin (100*) and Moreki (54*).
Fortuin and Moreki featured in a record ninth-wicket partnership of 131 for the Lions, with the latter compiling his first half-century.
Paceman Codi Yusuf also impressed with career-best figures of 6-49 in the Dolphins' first innings.
DOLPHINS: Tshepang Dithole, Sarel Erwee (capt), Marques Ackerman, Grant Roelofsen (wk), Khaya Zondo, Jason Smith, Jon-Jon Smuts, Andile Simelane, Prenelan Subrayen, Daryl Dupavillon, Okuhle Cele
LIONS: Joshua Richards, Dominic Hendricks (capt), Zubayr Hamza, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Graeme van Buuren, Wandile Makwetu, Delano Potgieter, Bjorn Fortuin, Codi Yusuf, Tsepo Ndwandwa, Tshepo Moreki
TUSKERS FORCE DRAW IN TENSE FINISH
The AET Tuskers forced a draw in a tense finish against the Gbets Rocks in their CSA Four-Day Series match at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
The Rocks would have been aware of the Tuskers’ recent defeat against the North West Dragons when they scored 492 in their first innings, but, under pressure in their second knock, were swept away for 106 in 38.2 overs.
This time the top order did just enough to keep wickets available in the early stages of the innings, with Ben Compton and Tian Koekemoer adding 41 for the second wicket after an aggressive Jonty Rapulana (18) had been superbly caught at first slip by Shaun von Berg.
Koekemoer (28 in 42 balls, 5x4s) played fluently but was eventually undone by an Aviwe Mgijima delivery that reared off a length before taking the shoulder of his bat to be acrobatically caught by Janneman Malan at slip.
Compton continued his 88-ball vigil but just when he looked to have taken his side to safety, he gloved a sweep from Mgijima to wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin, departing for 42 (5x4s).
The Tuskers’ fragile middle order then threatened to implode with Thamsanqa Kumalo and Malcolm Nofal departing for ducks in quick order, but skipper Michael Erland and Kyle Nipper managed to survive long enough for the light to finally fail.
Mgijima was the most successful of the Rocks’ bowlers, claiming 2-23 in 12 overs.
Earlier, the Rocks declared their second innings on 178 for nine with openers Janneman Malan (55) and Pieter Malan (38) setting up the innings.
Von Berg, who claimed 5-31 in 17.3 overs in the Tuskers’ first innings, was named player of the match.
The Rocks narrowly won the bonus points battle, but will feel frustrated that nearly half the match was lost to rain and bad light.
AET TUSKERS: Michael Erlank (capt), Kyle Nipper, Dilivio Ridgaard (wk), Kagiso Rapulana, Malcolm Nofal, Tian Koekemoer, Alindile Mhletywa, Keith Dudgeon, Ben Compton, Thamsanqa Kumalo, Thando Ntini
GBETS ROCKS: Janneman Malan, Pieter Malan (capt), Stiaan van Zyl, Clyde Fortuin (wk), Aviwe Mgijima, Keegan Petersen, Shaun von Berg, Hardus Viljoen, Siyabonga Mahima, Achille Cloete, Akhona Mnyaka
WP TRAMPLE DRAGONS TO REGISTER SECOND WIN
Western Province registered their second win in the CSA 4-day Challenge with a dominant eight-wicket victory over the North West Dragons at Newlands Stadium on Saturday.
Western Province, who needed 73 runs to win in their second innings, chased down the total in 16.1 overs and lost two wickets on the way.
Eddie Moore (33) and Daniel Smith (22) dragged Western Province to within touching distance of the score with a 50-run opening stand, and Yaseen Vallie (12*) and David Bedingham (4) saw them home.
Mthiwekhaya Nabe set the home side on course with a sensational five-wicket haul in the first innings.
The 28-year-old medium pacer has been steadily improving as the tournament has progressed.
In the last match, he registered his fifth four-wicket haul and improved on that with a five-for against the Dragons.
Nabe's five wickets for 46 runs in 11 overs helped Western Province restrict the visitors to 236.
George Linde top-scored for Western Province as they replied to the Dragons' total.
The bowling all-rounder was in good form as he registered his 15th first-class half-century.
Before he came to the crease, Yaseen Vallie (59) and David Bedingham (51) had set Western Province up with a 112-run third-wicket partnership.
Vallie and Bedingham's half-tons provided the hosts with the boost they needed after their openers had departed cheaply.
Migael Pretorius fought a lone battle to keep the visitors in the contest.
The all-rounder's 83 off 79 and his 124-run eighth-wicket partnership with Meeka-eel Prince lifted the Dragons to a respectable total of 236.
With the ball, Pretorius took six wickets for 78 runs in 20 overs to restrict Western Province to 345.
He was the best bowler for the Dragons and the second-most successful bowler in the match.
Pretorius' efforts needed backing up, and no support came.
In the second innings, the Dragons were rolled over for 181.
Lesego Senokwane (49) and Grant Mokoena (45) had put up something of a fight with an 89-run opening stand.
Unfortunately for the Dragons, there wasn't much batting afterwards.
Only one of the next nine batters scored 20 or more runs, and a mere three reached double figures as they crumbled to 181.
Kyle Simmons was Western Province's star with the ball in the Dragons' second innings.
The spinner bagged his 14th first-class fourth-wicket haul.
He ended the game with four wickets for 51 runs in 30.4 overs. Mthiwekhaya Nabe was the pick of the Western Province bowlers in the match with six wickets for 72 in 21 overs.
WESTERN PROVINCE: Eddie Moore, Daniel Smith, Yaseen Vallie, David Bedingham, Valentine Kitime, George Linde, Kyle Simmons, Onke Nyaku, Beuran Hendricks, Dane Paterson, Mthiwekhaya Nabe.
NORTH WEST DRAGONS: Lesego Senokwane, Grant Mokoena, Lesiba Ngoepe, Raynard van Tonder, Wihan Lubbe, Senuran Muthusamy, Ruan de Swardt, Meeka-eel Prince, Migael Pretorius, Kerwin Mungroo, Gideon Peters.
TITANS OVERCOME WARRIORS IN A THRILLER AT SUPERSPORT PARK
The Multiply Titans sealed a thrilling 13-run win over the Dafabet Warriors in their CSA 4-day Challenge match at Supersport Park on Sunday. Titans captain, Neil Brand capped off the home side's comeback with the wicket of Marco Jansen (57) to restrict the visitors to a second-innings total of 236.
The Titans were on the back foot for most of the match and only clawed their way back into the contest on the fourth day. The fightback began with a sensational century from Rivaldo Moonsamy. The wicketkeeper arrived at the crease with the Titans struggling on 136 for five. At the time, the hosts were ahead by a mere 59 runs.
Moonsamy carved 21 fours and a single six on his way to 124 off 141 balls. His score led the Titans to a second innings total of 326 for nine, declared. The score gave them a 249-run lead. His 85-run seventh-wicket partnership with Corbin Bosch was key to the home side’s comeback.
The Warriors came out to bat with the mindset of treating the innings like a one-day international. They needed 250 runs in just under 55 overs. They were within touching distance of the required rate for most of their second innings, and it took a moment of brilliance from Dewald Brevis, who took two wickets in two balls to slowly turn the tide. The turning point came with the run out of Patrick Kruger with the visitors needing 109 runs to win.
Marco Jansen rallied, giving the Warriors a second wind, with a 62-run seventh-wicket partnership with Sinethemba Qeshile. The dismissal of Beyers Swanepoel, the Warriors' last recognised batter meant that Jansen had to do it all on his own.
The Proteas allrounder smashed 57 off 53 balls as he pushed for victory. But it was all in vain. Jansen farmed the strike with the tail and almost led his team to a win in the last couple of overs left in the day. Unfortunately for the visitors, he fell trying to clear the boundary to draw his side closer to the required total.
Gerald Coetzee was the pick of the bowlers for the Titans in the innings. The Proteas pacer took four wickets for 54 runs in 13 overs. Neil Brand was the most successful Titans bowler in the match with six wickets for 86 runs in 31.1 overs.
Earlier in the match, Dewald Brevis inspired the Titans to a first-innings total of 383 with a brilliant maiden first-class century. The 20-year-old struck 20 fours on his way to 110 off 172 balls. In reply, Jiveshan Pillay hit 114 off 194 balls to inspire the Warriors to a score of 460. Sinethemba Qeshile (66) and Beyers Swanepoel (65) complemented Pillay's ton with classy half-centuries.
Swanepoel, who is enjoying a good run of form, was also the Warriors’ most outstanding bowler. The 25-year-old bagged his second 10-wicket haul in first-class cricket. The allrounder took five wickets in either innings. They are his eighth and ninth first-class five-wicket hauls. Swanepoel finished the match with 10 wickets for 144 runs in 43.1 overs.
TITANS: Dean Elgar, Neil Brand, Matthew Kleinveldt, Dewald Brevis, Sibonelo Makhanya, Modiri Litheko, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Junior Dala, Tladi Bokako.
WARRIORS: Jiveshan Pillay, Jordan Hermann, Diego Rosier, Andile Mokgakane, Rudi Second, Sinethemba Qeshile, Patrick Kruger, Marco Jansen, Beyers Swanepoel, Renaldo Meyer, Aphiwe Mnyanda
