Twenty wickets tumbled on a manic second day of the Cape Cobras’ Sunfoil Series clash with the Highveld Lions at Sahara Park Newlands, and by the end of the frenzy it was difficult to pick who had come out of it better.
After being bowled out for 119 to concede a first-innings deficit of 136, the Lions promptly turned around and rolled the Cobras for 101 to leave a target of 238 over two and a bit days.
While that looked tricky on a pitch that had offered something to the bowlers throughout the first two days, and even trickier when the Lions fell to 43 for three, the 10 points for the win remain very much up for grabs.
Stephen Cook’s 37 not out kept the Lions in the hunt as he and Temba Bavuma (10 not out) saw the Lions to stumps on 62 for three.
The day began with the Lions struggling on 32 for three in their first innings, and it was Justin Kemp who sparked the wicket rush as he had Neil McKenzie caught behind and trapped Thami Tsolekile lbw.
Dane Piedt then came into his own, rattling through the middle and lower order to claim figures of 4 for 28 as Bavuma’s 32 proved the top score for the Lions.
However, the Cobras’ joy was short-lived, as Hardus Viljoen and Lonwabo Tsotsobe smashed through their top six to reduce them to 42 for six in response.
Justin Kemp and Shaheen Khan briefly stabilised the ship, before Khan became Tsotsobe’s fifth victim of the innings and Kemp was trapped in front by Imran Tahir three balls later. Tahir wrapped up the last two wickets to record match figures of 7 for 88, while Tsotsobe took 5 for 33 in the innings.
With the top of the standings incredibly tight, Saturday’s action could have a significant bearing on how the competition pans out.
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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