Ryan Bailey notched up his first century of this season’s Sunfoil Series campaign, but the first day of the match between the Warriors and the Highveld Lions at Axxess St. George’s belonged to Hardus Viljoen and Cliffe Deacon as they claimed all 10 wickets to bowl the Warriors out for 284.
While Viljoen recorded figures of 6 for 93 in 28 overs, Deacon took 4 for 46 to make sure the Lions made the most of winning the toss and opting to field first.
They did receive a blow late in the day, however, when Stephen Cook shouldered arms and was bowled by Andrew Birch to leave the Lions none for one at the start of their reply.
With Port Elizabeth enjoying a fair amount of rain recently, Cook’s decision to field first appeared to be a straightforward one - particularly when the Warriors fell to 18 for three inside eight overs.
Michael Price was the only Warriors batsman to stand firm at the top of the order, and he eventually found some support in Colin Ingram and then in Bailey.
Price and Bailey put on 86 for the fifth wicket before the former was caught behind off the bowling of Viljoen three runs short of his century.
Jon-Jon Smuts contributed a run-a-ball 35 as the Warriors looked to add quick runs before the second new ball - a tactic which proved wise when Viljoen and Deacon ripped out the last five wickets for 32 runs in nine overs.
Bailey was left stranded on 102, and there was just enough time for one more over in the day.
Birch made sure that it counted when he removed Cook with the fifth delivery to give the Warriors a window of light at stumps.
Willowmoore Park
The Sunfoil Series clash between The Titans and the Dolphins at Sahara Willowmoore Park failed to get underway on Thursday because of a wet outfield.
With the region receiving a considerable amount of rain over the past 10 days, the drainage at the ground failed to deal with the quantity of water and the day’s play was called off.
The Dolphins are currently third on the Sunfoil Series table, and will have been disappointed to lose a day when they need to enforce a result if they are to keep pace with the top two.
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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