A century from David Miller and a crucial double-strike by Kyle Abbott helped the Dolphins claim the honours on their first full day of Sunfoil Series cricket in three weeks.
The Dolphins rode on the back of Miller’s 109 as they posted 341 after being put in to bat, before Abbott grabbed the key wickets of Stephen Cook and Quinton de Kock in the first three overs of the Highveld Lions reply.
That sent the Lions to stumps on eight for two, with Dominic Hendricks and nightwatchman Pumi Matshikwe at the crease, still trailing by 333 runs at Senwes Park.
Thursday had begun in dramatic fashion when Dieter Klein, who was picked after Chris Morris was not fit enough to play, had Imraan Khan caught behind off the third ball of the day.
Although Divan van Wyk (38) and Khaya Zondo (41) led a recovery in a 76-run stand for the second wicket, the Lions were able to chip away and reduce the Dolphins to 181 for five.
The balance of power would swing twice more in the innings - first when Miller put on 110 with Daryn Smit (60); then when Miller was trapped lbw by Zander de Bruyn shortly before the second new ball, which did the trick for the Lions as the last four wickets cost just 14.
A total of 341 seemed about par for the Dolphins, but it looked even better after Abbott bowled Cook with the fourth ball of the Lions innings, and then had De Kock caught behind in his next over.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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