An unbroken stand of 97 between Pite van Biljon and Ryan McLaren clawed the Knights to parity on the second evening of a tense Sunfoil Series encounter against the Cape Cobras at Sahara Park Newlands on Friday.
Van Biljon hit 58 not out while McLaren was unbeaten on 43 as the Knights went to stumps on 187 for four in response to the Cobras’ first-innings total of 315.
It was the second fightback of the day for the Knights, who claimed the last four Cobras wickets for just 40 runs, then recovered from 90 for four to reach the halfway stage of the match level pegging.
The Cobras resumed on 275 for six, but lost Rory Kleinveldt in the opening over of the day as McLaren picked up the first of two quick wickets.
Justin Kemp was then left stranded on 25 not out as Quinton Friend and Johan van der Wath wrapped up the tail to leave the Cobras with nothing more than a reasonable score.
However, the hosts provided a reminder of some of the difficulties at Newlands when Kleinveldt and Beuran Hendricks removed openers Reeza Hendricks and Gihahn Cloete for ducks to leave the Knights on one for two.
Rilee Rossouw (38) and Rudi Second (21) both made starts before they were both caught behind by the wicketkeeper, and at 90 for four there was a concern that the visitors could be rolled for a low total.
But Van Biljon and McLaren dug in, facing 192 and 129 deliveries respectively to wear down the Cobras seamers and keep the Knights in with a fighting chance.
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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