The Lions look to be on course for another crushing victory and another comfortable cushion of points after racking up a formidable 462-8 declared in East London on Saturday.
Having secured a first-innings lead of 175, they then followed up by cracking the Warriors top order for 81 by close of play, still 94 runs to good with just seven wickets to get.
The Warriors have been on the back foot all the way, even though they may have entertained hopes by capturing the wicket of Stephen Cook, who addd just two runs to his overnight total of 150, and then capturing Alviro Petersen for 29. But Temba Bavuma picked up where his captain left off, hammering an unbeaten 109 of 171 balls with 12 fours and a six. He put on 87 with Neil McKenzie (41), which was enough of a cushion as Somila Seyibokwe ran through the lower order.
Colin Ackermann (25) and Colin Ingram (12) were digging in at close of play, facing a tough day ahead
Dolphins v Knights, Durban
A fifth-wicket stand of 136 between Pite van Biljon (79) and Obus Pienaar (63) was all that stood between the Knights’ pride and total humiliation as 23-year-old Mathew Pillans returned his best first class bowling figures of 6-67 on the third day’s play on Saturday.
With the help of Daryn Dupavillon (3-56), he smashed through the middle batting order, reducing the Knights from 216-4 to 237 all out at stumps on a rain reduced day.
With a lead of 218 the Dolphins will need to consider their options carefully to allow time for a deserved win. Facing a first-innings target of 455-5 declared, the Knights resumed at 72-3 and quickly lost Reeza Hendricks after he added just two to his overnight score of 34. Van Biljon and Pienaar withstood the assault for 43 overs before Pillan dismissed both within four overs. The dam wall burst and the tail were swept away, Pillans, in just his 21st first-class match, bettering his previous best of 5-24.
Cobras v Titans, Paarl
The Titans, desperate for a win to keep pace with the Lions in the race for Sunfoil honours are putting up a fight against the Cobras, who are equally desperate for their first win.
The Cobras forged ahead from 112-3 overnight to declare at 341-7, thanks to Dane Vilas’ 10th first-class hundred – 100 off 130 balls (14×4), supported by Dane Piedt (31) and Rory Kleinveldt (39),offering the Titans an eye-watering target of 475. Bearing in mind the Titans managed just 175 in their first innings, the omens were not good, especially when Theuns de Bruyn was dismissed for nine with the score on 15.
But Dean Elgar (67) and Henry Davids (56) dug in to take the Titans to 144-1 at the close of play. It will be a long slow day on Sunday if they are to save the game and reduce the damage.
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