The Dolphins made a valiant effort, but the target of 285 set by the Lions was too much as rain had the final say to ensure the Wanderers match ended in a draw.
The Lions declared on 417-7, which was far too much. The Dolphins gave it a good go, though, with no batsman striking at under 78 and maintaining a run rate of 5.6 in the 38 overs played until rain come down with 85 needed off 15 overs
Vaughn van Jaarsveld led the race with 59 off 53 (3×4, 2×6), followed by Sarel Erwee (50 off 47), Dane Vilas (23 0ff 30) and Sibonelo Makhanya (24 off 30).
The Lions were comparatively pedestrian in compiling their innings at 3.39. They had resumed batting on day four at 221-4, and Beuran Hendricks took charge, moving from four overnight to 68 off 141 balls, his highest first-class score. Dwaine Pretorius (39 off 60) and Wiaan Mulder (44 off 63) injected some urgency into the innings, but they left the Dolphins with too much to do.
In Paarl, the Cobras drew with the Titans in another high-scoring match. A total of 1,028 runs were scored for the loss of 22 wickets. The Cobras batted on to 460 and a 25-run lead on the final day, adding 67 for the loss of seven wickets from the overnight position.
Then it was just a case of seeing out the day, but Andrea Agathangelou took the opportunity to enhance his batting averages with a blitzing 77 off 83 balls, with 11 fours. The Titans ended the day on 133-3.
So despite some valiant efforts at the Wanderers and at Buffalo Park, the penultimate round of the series ended with three draws, bringing to 22 the number of draws from 27 matches.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
