Warriors rebuild after tough start

The Dafabet Warriors consolidated and rebuilt on their way to 59 for two at lunch on the first day of their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Knights at Dafabet St George's Park on Thursday.

The Warriors had Jiveshan Pillay (23*) and JP King (27*) at the crease. The duo got together in the first 10 overs of the contest and played a circumspect innings to guide the home side to lunch with minimal damage. Their third-wicket partnership was worth 52 runs.

King weathered the storm of the Knights' good bowling by keeping a calm head. At one time, the 22-year-old was on two off 23 deliveries. He showed good temperament and scored off bad deliveries.

Dane Piedt, the Knights' captain, won the toss, elected to bowl first, and threw the new ball to Tiaan van Vuuren and Malusi Siboto. The pair answered their captain's call with quick wickets.

Van Vuuren took the first over and was getting some swing with the new ball. It didn't take long before he got a breakthrough with the wicket of Jordan Hermann, who has been on the frontline of run-scoring for the Warriors. The left-hander was looking to block a back-of-a-length delivery from Van Vuuren. Hermann misjudged the delivery and chopped the ball onto the stumps.

The hosts looked to rebuild through Jiveshan Pillay and Matthew de Villiers. Pillay was more watchful while De Villiers tried to alleviate the pressure by keeping the scoreboard ticking. Their partnership held tight for 3.2 overs while Van Vuuren and Siboto gave little away. They had added seven runs when Siboto struck to account for De Villiers' wicket.

The Knights' bowling attack was disciplined and only conceded 13 runs for two wickets in the first half-hour of play. Despite their disciplined approach, only Van Vuuren and Siboto were successful. Siboto had the better figures with one wicket for 18 runs in nine overs. Van Vuuren also had a single wicket but conceded 20 runs in eight 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