Tag: sunfoil series

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Kyle Simmonds Crowned Overall Division 1 SACA MVP

The 2025/26 domestic cricket season concludes with Western Province all-rounder Kyle Simmonds named Division 1 Overall SACA MVP. Simmonds earned…

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Liam Alder Named Overall SACA MVP for Domestic Division 2

Following the completion of all domestic fixtures, Liam Alder of the Garden Route Badgers finished at the top of the…

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TWELVE YEARS OF RESEARCH-BASED PLAYER SERVICE

Over the past 12 years, the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has cemented its dedication to evidence-based practice through a…

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MORRIS SIX-FOR TAKES TITANS TO SUNFOIL SERIES TITLE

The Multiply Titans were crowned 2017/18 Sunfoil Series champions on Sunday after concluding a tense final round of rain-hit matches with a nervy four-wicket win over the VKB Knights in Centurion.

Chris Morris was their star performer with six for 55 that helped set up a low-scoring chase of 110, which the hosts knocked off with plenty of time to spare.

Mark Boucher’s side went into the final round of games in fourth place and as one of the teams with the slimmest of chances of claiming the four-day crown, but in the end finished the day with their fifth outright first-class title of the franchise era.

The Warriors, who had begun the round first, had to settle for runners-up, and the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras in third.

The final day, which was effectively the second day of the match after the opening two days had been washed out by rain, had started out with the Knights batting on 62 for three and still trailing by 38 in their second innings.

Both sides had faced 40 overs each in their first innings – the away side posting 169 for seven declared and the home side replying with 269 for three declared.

Captain Rudi Second top-scored with 76 (136 balls, 8 fours), with David Miller chipping in with 52 (70 balls, 8 fours), before Morris and Malusi Siboto (3/43) ripped through the middle and lower order to leave the Central franchise all out for 209.

It left a target of just over 100 to get, and despite Marchant de Lange grabbing three for 40, an important 43 from Heino Kuhn and 29 by Farhaan Behardien ensured the Titans got to their target midway through the final afternoon.

They then had to wait for the result of the bizhub Highveld Lions against the Cape Cobras Cobras – the latter needing to win in order to win the title – but as it played out, the Cape side fell to a nine-wicket loss handing the Titans the title.

It also capped another impressive season for Boucher’s side, who secured the double after their success in the RAM SLAM T20 Challenge.

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VAN DER DUSSEN FRUSTRATES KNIGHTS WITH ASSISTANCE OF THE RAIN

Rain and Rassie van der Dussen played a central role in helping the bizhub Highveld Lions escape from Kimberley with a draw from their Sunfoil Series round eight encounter against the VKB Knights on Sunday.

The weather meant that only 69 overs were possible on the final day at the Diamond Oval with the visitors reaching 194 for four in their second innings.

Right-hander Van der Dussen struck an unbeaten 64 (116 ball, 9 fours, 1 six) to lock up one end, before rain intervened and repeated what it did on day three when just 46.2 overs were sent down.

The Lions had begun the final day with the odds against them, a poor first-innings batting performance and an innings difference of 283.

Reeza Hendricks (16) fell cheaply, but there were then useful 30s from Stephen Cook (36), Omphile Ramela (36) and Dominic Hendricks (33) that helped frustrate the home side.

It was then the rain that arrived after tea further hampering the Knights as the Lions held on.

The result meant the Central Franchise moved on to 112.56 points on the table, with the bottom-of-the-table Gauteng side moving to 76.82 points. Only two rounds remain in the 2017/18 competition.

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MORRIS TON CAN’T STOP WARRIORS FROM GOING TOP

An outstanding rearguard century by Chris Morris was not enough to deny the Warriors as two late wickets by Jon-Jon Smuts sealed a dramatic 77-run Sunfoil Series win over the Multiply Titans at Buffalo Park in East London late on Sunday.

The Standard Bank Proteas all-rounder made 113 (184 balls, 20 fours), his maiden franchise cricket ton, as the visitors were bowled out for 248 – chasing 329 – deep into the final day.

Morris was bowled from the penultimate delivery of the fourth added over after the mandatory 15 final-hour overs had elapsed, with Tabraiz Shamsi (0) then bowled next ball as Smuts ended with three for 54 to fire his side top of the competition table.

Prior to Morris’ dismissal, the Titans looked set to seal a dramatic draw after battling their way back from 110 for seven shortly before tea.

It was one-way traffic before that in favour of the home side with Tladi Bokako (4/43) and Simon Harmer (3/89) weaving through the top order.

But Malusi Siboto (43) helped Morris add 79 for the eighth wicket and Junior Dala batted for 57 deliveries for his five, before the visitors finally caved.

Earlier, Colin Ackermann went on to record his 14th career century as the Warriors declared on 256 for five.

The right-hander smashed an unbeaten 125 (157 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes) and put on 169 for the second wicket with Eddie Moore (76 off 179 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) to ensure the hosts gave themselves a victory chance.

Tabraiz Shamsi took an impressive five for 90, but it was not enough as the Titans slipped to a first loss of the season – one that saw them drop from first to fourth with two rounds of 2017/18 remaining.

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HAMZA BATS COBRAS TO VICTORY

A fine ninth career century by Zubayr Hamza helped the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras stake their claim for the Sunfoil Series title with an eight-wicket win over the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.

The young right-hander made an unbeaten 109 (182 balls, 19 fours) as the visitors chased down their 227-run victory target with relative ease at the City Oval.

Hamza shared in a 149-run unbroken third-wicket stand with Stiaan van Zyl, who followed his first innings 63 with 66 not out (99 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) in the second innings.

The Cobras always appeared in control during the chase despite losing Pieter Malan (18) when the score was on 27 and Andrew Puttick (20) when they had progressed to 78.

From then onwards, it was the Hamza-Van Zyl show as the target was reached in 65.1 overs, which was just after lunch on day four.

The Dolphins had started the day batting on 260 for eight and they managed to reach 291 thanks to Robbie Frylinck, who was left stranded on 50 (68 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes).

Debutant Junaid Dawood was the pick of the bowlers with three for 74.

The round eight result threw the title race wide open with the Cobras now up to 115.78 points, with the Dolphins moving to 99.4. Only two rounds now remain in the season.

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CAREER-BEST MAHARAJ BOWLS DOLPHINS TO WARRIORS WIN

Keshav Maharaj’s career-best bowling figures spurred the Hollywoodbets Dolphins on to a first Sunfoil Series win of the season as they beat the Warriors by 55 runs on the final day at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

The Standard Bank Proteas spinner and stand-in captain claimed seven for 76 – the best bowling figures by any bowler in 2017/18 – to help his side claim the final four wickets and bowl the hosts out for 230 before lunch.

The Warriors had been chasing a target of 286 and resumed the final day on 172 for six, but were dismissed in 78.5 overs as the visitors claimed only the third overall win of the campaign to stay in the hunt for the title.

Simon Harmer and Clyde Fortuin, both on four, were the two unbeaten batsmen at the start, and they kept their side in contention for the opening 10 overs when they shifted the score on to 199 for six.

But the latter fell to Senuran Muthusamy for 15 to open the door for the Dolphins and Maharaj then took out Ayabulela Gqamane (12) and Tladi Bokako (0) both leg before wicket with the total on 212.

Anrich Nortje (3) was then run out, leaving Harmer, the hero with the ball for the Warriors after he took 12 wickets earlier in the game, stranded on 36.

Maharaj, meanwhile, improved on his previous best figures of seven for 89 in the same fixture last season as his side reduced the gap at the top of the table.

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COBRAS, LIONS SETTLE FOR HIGH-SCORING DRAW

Nicky van den Bergh and Zubayr Hamza hit final-day half-centuries as the Sunfoil Series clash between the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras and bizhub Highveld Lions ended in a draw at Eurolux Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday.

The visitors were eventually bowled out for 562 in reply to the 574 for eight declared by the hosts.

Wiaan Mulder then took four wickets to leave the Cobras on 117 for four when the two captains shook hands.

The men from Gauteng had started out the day on 465 for four, and managed just under 100 for the final six wickets.

Van den Bergh was their highest scorer on the day after hitting 60 (190 balls, 6 fours) as Simon Khomari ended as the pick of the bowlers with two for 66 – the away side eventually dismissed in 178.3 overs and trailing by 12.

An excellent burst by Mulder, who claimed four for 25, threatened a late twist after the Cobras were reduced to 55 for four.

But Hamza hit 54 (67 balls, 10 fours) and shared in an unbroken 62-run stand with Aviwe Mgijima (20) to take the hosts to safety and a seventh draw of the season.

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WARRIORS WARY OF DOLPHINS FIGHTING SPIRIT

Warriors coach Rivash Gobind is wary of the battle-hardened Hollywoodbets Dolphins ahead of their Sunfoil Series encounter that starts at at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth from Thursday.

The KwaZulu-Natal franchise have been forced into several corners this season, but like they did last week against the VKB Knights in Bloemfontein, have put up some brave second-innings shows to salvage priceless draws from matches.

They were made to follow on at the Mangaung Oval, but emerged with a shared result and Gobind knows they have a tough task on their hands in the Eastern Cape.

“The Dolphins have shown that they’re really hard to beat this year,” he said. “They’ve found themselves in some really tough positions and each time they’ve managed to dig their way out.

“We’re going to have to be at our very best to try and force a result. Hopefully we can do that over the next few days.”

The two teams shared the Momentum One-Day Cup title a few weeks ago and both will want to make that count now heading into the final passage of the season.

The Warriors made an excellent start to the second half of the term when they stunned the bizhub Highveld Lions in a low-scoring affair in East London. It was a result that propelled them to second place and Gobind believes they can take a lot of confidence heading into the final four rounds.

“It was a tight game and the fact that both teams were pushing for a result helped,” he added. “I thought we were really good over the course of the game.

“I think winning that game, the first of the second round, was really important and leaves us in a good space going to the final four games.”

Despite the fight put up by the Dolphins, their coach, Grant Morgan, admits it has been coming too late in games when the points on offer are far less compared to good showings earlier on in games.

“We can’t carry on like this because we are losing crucial first innings points and we are getting to a stage where we need to win but if we can’t we need to stay in touch and get those first innings points,” he explained. “The frustrating part is that we are spending too much time on the back foot in games and have to recoup games through some massive fightbacks.”

The Dolphins boss, whose side are fourth on the table and still very much in contention, is desperate for his side to do much better in the remaining weeks of the season.

“I would say that we have only shown hints of our A game here and there throughout the season,” he added. “We owe ourselves our A game at least three times out of the next four games.”

 

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SACA CONGRATULATES SACA MVP 2016/17 WINNERS

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) today congratulated Warriors all-rounder, Colin Ackermann, on winning the SACA Most Valuable Player (MVP) title in franchise cricket for his performances over the three domestic competitions in the 2016/17 season. Ackermann finished on a total of 435, 207 points.

The SACA MVP domestic rankings lists the top performing franchise players competing in CSA’s domestic competitions. Players earn points, based on an internationally recognised formula used by several players’ associations around the world, for batting, bowling, fielding and for contribution to matches won by their team. Points are weighted across the different formats to ensure that critical performances in each match earn a player the appropriate number of points.

The overall SACA MVP Rankings combine a players’ performance in all three domestic competitions and are an indicator of consistency of performance through the season. Performances in a particular competition are also recognised in the SACA MVP Rankings relating to each of the Sunfoil Series (four days), Momentum One-Day Cup (50 overs) and CSA T20 Challenge (20 overs) competitions.

Following a very good start to the season, Ackermann’s consistency with both bat and ball earned the Warriors all-rounder a total of 1431 runs and 16 wickets in all competitions. Ackermann took the overall SACA MVP title, 34.129 points ahead of VKB Knights paceman Marchant de Lange, who finished second, with Robbie Frylinck from the Hollywoodbets Dolphins rounding out the top three.

“The SACA MVP is something all of us franchise cricketers strive to win because it measures every aspect of the game across the three domestic competitions. It is recognised by players as a measure of consistency throughout the season. I’m proud to have won this award but must also give some credit to my Warriors teammates in helping me to do it” said Ackermann.

The SACA MVP rankings also focus on performances in each particular competition. VKB Knights opening bowler Duanne Olivier, clinched the top spot in the four-day Sunfoil Series rankings, finishing with 52 wickets in 8 matches. Simon Harmer and Marchant de Lange finished in second and third respectively on the Sunfoil rankings.

Jon-Jon Smuts was a runaway winner of the Momentum One-Day Cup rankings. The all-rounder scored 581 runs at an average of 52.81, and picked up 14 wickets in the competition. Multiply Titans openers Aiden Markram and Henry Davids both enjoyed very successful campaigns and ended in 2nd and 3rd place on the Momentum rankings respectively.

Smuts (169.616), finished 36.053 points ahead of 2nd placed Colin Ackermann, and 41.794 points ahead of 3rd placed Hardus Viljoen in the CSA T20 Challenge Rankings. Smuts finished as the leading run-scorer in the competition scoring 371 runs in 11 matches.

“I’d like to congratulate Colin on winning the overall SACA MVP,” said SACA chief executive, Tony Irish. “To achieve the top spot a player has to perform for his franchise pretty much week in and week out throughout the season and he has done exactly that.”

“I would also like to congratulate Jon-Jon and Duanne for leading the way in each of the domestic competitions. There were some pretty impressive individual performances from a number of players this season. Henry Davids’ 673 runs (8 matches) in the Momentum One-Day Cup and Duanne Olivier’s 52 wickets (8 matches) in the Sunfoil Series deserve special mention. Well done also to the entire Titans squad for winning the Momentum One-Day Cup and the CSA T20 Challenge and to the Knights squad for taking the Sunfoil Series.”

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LIONS SCRAPE PAST WARRIORS TO STAY AFLOAT

Aya Myoli, Bjorn Fortuin and Beuran Hendricks took three wickets each to help the bizhub Highveld Lions secure a dramatic 14-run win over the Warriors late on the final day of their crucial Sunfoil Series meeting in East London on Sunday.

After the visitors declared overnight on their day three total of 153/2 at the start of day four, it left the hosts needing 258 for victory.

But they made a mess of the chase early on after slumping to 42/4 thanks to the pace of Myoli, who claimed three of the wickets at that stage before ending with 3/58. A fifth-wicket partnership of 102 between Colin Ingram (46) and Lesiba Ngoepe put the Warriors well on track. The Warriors needed another 104, but blew their prospects when both set men fell – Ngoepe going for a top-score of 77 (104 balls, 9 fours). Followed by Somila Seyibokwe (4) and Sisanda Magala (7) dismissed early on either side of a rain delay, the end looked close at 183/8.

Captain Simon Harmer struck a determined 45 and shared in a 54-run ninth-wicket stand with Anrich Nortje (26) to take his side to the brink. But they were removed by Fortuin (3/39) and Hendricks (3/70) respectively as the Lions sealed a memorable win.

The result helped the Johannesburg side climb off the bottom of the table and ahead of the Warriors with a total of 83.35 points to just about stay alive in the title hunt.

The Warriors are effectively now out of the race with their 78.66 total too far behind the leaders, the Multiply Titans, on 94.62.

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MOREKI DOUBLE STRIKE LEAVES COBRAS AND TITANS EVEN

Tshepo Moreki claimed two of the three late wickets to fall as the BuildNat Cape Cobras edged a weather-affected opening day of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Multiply Titans at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday.

The fast bowler claimed 2/22 in six overs to leave the hosts on 114/3 after they won the toss and batted first in their round eight meeting.

Only 31 overs were possible after rain washed out two sessions, before bad light also played a part late in the evening

The hosts had dominated the opening passages of play once the game eventually got underway with Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar bossing proceedings during an 86-run opening stand.

Standard Bank Proteas opener Elgar top-scored with 43 and rookie Markram hit 32 before both were dismissed from successive Moreki deliveries in the 21st over.

Captain Henry Davids (10) then fell to Lizaad Williams with less than three overs remaining as the Cobras finished strongly.

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ZONDO AND MAHARAJ BOOST DOLPHINS LEAD

Keshav Maharaj and Khaya Zondo’s dominating first-innings performances against bizhub Highveld Lions helped HollywoodBets Dolphins consolidate their lead at the top of the table in the Sunfoil Series. Zondo struck his seventh first-class century, an unbeaten 290-ball 141 that included 21 fours, to lift Dolphins to 339 in the first innings after they opted to bat in Pietermaritzburg.

Vaughn van Jaarsveld chipped in with a brisk 53. Lions seam-bowling allrounder Dwaine Pretorius claimed his fifth five-wicket haul in first-class matches, returning figures of 5 for 54. In reply, the Lions were quickly reduced to 4 for 49. Dominic Hendricks and Pretorius brought the Lions some respectability with a 91-run partnership.

After Hendricks was dismissed for 78, Kagiso Rapulana hit a patient 52 to push Dolphins’ total to 267. Left-arm spinner Maharaj finished with figures of 6 for 86.

Entering the fourth day with a lead of 72, Dolphins set up a late declaration after posting 189 for 5 in 51 overs, taking the safety-first approach to ensure the Lions didn’t have enough time to bowl them out. Zondo struck a 139-ball 54. Left-arm fast bowler Beuran Hendricks took 3 for 48. The Lions chose not to go after the steep target of 262, as the game petered out into a draw.

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OLIVIER LEADS SACA MVP RANKINGS AHEAD OF T20 CHALLENGE

VBK Knights fast bowler, Duanne Olivier currently leads the SACA MVP rankings, with Hollywoodbets Dolphins all-rounder Robbie Frylinck hot on his heels in second place, after both players turned in match winning performances for their respective teams during the Sunfoil Series.
Last season veteran and newcomer players battled for the title of the SACA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and this season promises to provide a similarly contested race amongst the country’s best domestic cricketers.

Olivier sits at the top of both the Overall MVP rankings and the four-day Sunfoil Series rankings, although there is still a long way to go in the Sunfoil Series and the two domestic limited-overs competitions still to come. With 28 wickets in five matches, which include two five-for’s and a nine wicket haul, Olivier is the leading wicket taker in the Sunfoil Series. His contribution thus far, has earned him 167.161 points in the MVP, to keep him 3.193 points ahead of Frylinck.
Frylinck’s record breaking performance with the ball in the second round of the Sunfoil Series against the bizhub Highveld Lions in Potchefstroom, which saw him end with a South African franchise record of 14 for 62, helped him climb 20 positions with his points’ tally leaping from 18.143 to 100.990 points. Frylinck has gone on to collect 163.968 from his five matches. His consistency and contribution with the bat and ball, has kept him in the race for the MVP.
The closest bunch of chasers in the SACA MVP at this early stage of the season are: 3rd Marchant de Lange (153.297 points), 4th Hardus Viljoen (134.512 points) and 5th Simon Harmer (131.857 points).
The MVP reflects a balanced distribution of points for players based on their on-field performances. Points awarded to players are based not only on runs and wickets, but also take into account catches, captaincy and the effect a player’s performance has on the success of his team and important stages of a match.
An indication of how reflective the rankings are is that 2015/16’s SACA MVP winner bizhub Highveld Lions’ Dwaine Pretorius and runner up, Hollywoodbets Dolphins’ Keshav Maharaj have both put in strong performances for their domestic teams in the matches they have played this season. Both players have also gone on to be selected for the Proteas, with Maharaj making his Test debut in the first Test of the current series against Australia. Pretorius has already played for the Proteas in the shorter format this year and has been called up to the Test squad following Dale Steyn’s series-ending injury.
Pretorius, currently seventh in the rankings, has played three games while Maharaj is 13th despite having only played two matches for his franchise.
The SACA MVP is an internationally recognised formula that records franchise players’ contribution to each match. Results are uploaded after each round of matches and the rankings are closely followed by players. The SACA MVP is an indicator of consistency of performance in each of the CSA Domestic Competitions and can be followed on the SACA website (www.saca.org.za).

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VON BERG, MARKRAM TAKE TITANS TO VICTORY

Aiden Markram’s second successive hundred and legspinner Shaun von Berg’s ten-wicket match-haul lifted the Titans to first place in the Sunfoil Series, as they defeated the Cape Cobras by an innings and 50 runs at Newlands in Cape Town.

Cobras were reduced to 74 for 4 in the first innings after Titans captain Henry Davids put them in. Stiaan van Zyl (65), who was dropped from the South Africa Test squad for the tour of Australia, stitched together a 92-run partnership with Justin Ontong (45) to stabilise the innings. However, they lost 3 for 8 in a span of 8.1 overs, to be reduced to 174 for 7. The tail then managed to drag the score to 235, before von Berg took his fifth wicket to bowl them out.

Markram lost his opening partner Heino Kuhn with only 33 on the board, but put on 122 for the second wicket with Grant Mokoena (59) and 75 for the fourth with Farhaan Behardien (79) as he secured the lead for his team, before falling for 139. Qaasim Adams’ 58-run partnership for the seventh wicket with David Wiese (31) took the Titans to 393 for 7 before a collapse resulted in them folding for 400. Dane Piedt and Rory Kleinveldt took three wickets each for the Cobras.

In the second innings, only four Cobras batsmen managed to get into double figures. Van Zyl (32*) and Ontong (20) once again briefly rescued the innings with a 42-run sixth-wicket stand after coming together at 44 for 5. Von Berg, who had Ontong caught by Wiese for the second time in the match, completed his five-wicket haul shortly after. Henry Davids took the last two wickets as Cobras slumped to their third loss this season.

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COBRAS END LOSING SEQUENCE WITH WARRIORS DRAW

Jason Smith and Aviwe Mgijima joined the PPC Newlands run fest on the final day of the Sunfoil Series clash between the BuildNat Cape Cobras and the Warriors as the match in Cape Town ended in a high-scoring draw on Sunday.

Smith hit 63 (99 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) and Mgijima made 54 (104 balls, 5 fours) – the pair both playing in the fourth franchise matches of their careers – as the hosts amassed 567/7 in reply to the visitors’ 525/7 declared.

Both totals were the highest against each other, in a match where bat dominated ball and only 14 wickets fell over the course of the four days.

There were three centurions – Colin Ackermann (146), Andrew Puttick (124) and Omphile Ramela (170) – to go along with six half-centurions.

Amongst the bowler, Basheer Walters was the most successful with 2/79, while Simon Harmer took 2/176 from a marathon 69 overs of spin.

The result at least provided some respite for the Cobras, who had lost both previous matches of the season to date. The Capetonians, who had resumed the final day on 374/3, took 2.82 points from the game.

The Warriors secured 4.98 points after one loss and one win from their first two matches.

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LIONS DRAW WITH KNIGHTS

 

Sunday, 23 October 2016

Duanne Olivier finished with six wickets on the final day as the Sunfoil Series clash between the VKB Knights and bizhub Highveld Lions ended in a draw at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Sunday.

The fast bowler followed his 3/101 in the first innings with 6/93 second time around, but half-centuries from Dominic Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius and Mangaliso Mosehle meant the visitors finished on 310/9.

The Lions, who started the day on 62/2, lost three early wickets to slip to 92/5. But Hendricks went on to make 65 (154 balls, 11 fours, 1 six) and shared in a 109-run sixth wicket stand with an aggressive Pretorius (80 off 89 balls, 14 fours, 2 sixes) that carried them past 200.

It was an important stand in the context of the game, but both were part of Olivier’s haul, the 13th time in his career that he managed five wickets or more.

Mosehle’s unbeaten 67 (122 balls, 13 fours, 1 six) then proved equally vital as he anchored a 78-run eighth wicket stand that helped the Lions secure a draw that gave them 8.78 points.

The Knights took 8.88 points to move top of the table after three rounds of the season.

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HARMER PUTS WARRIORS IN SIGHT OF VICTORY

 

 

Simon Harmer led a clinical bowling performance by the Warriors with his four wickets to put his team on course for victory against reigning Sunfoil Series champions the Multiply Titans at St George’s Park in East London on Thursday.

The home captain took 4/63 as the visitors were bowled out for 235 shortly before stumps, leaving them a victory target of just 105, which was down to 86 by the close after the hosts reached 19/0 in the two overs they faced.

Heinrich Klaasen was the key contributor for the visitors with an unbeaten 97 (146 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes) – the Titans wicket-keeper rescuing his team from complete annihilation after they slipped to 108/8 at one stage.  But he found a willing partner in Morne Morkel, with the Proteas’ fast bowler, in the team to get some much-needed game-time ahead of South Africa’s tour of Australia, contributing 36 in a 100-run ninth-wicket stand.

Harmer’s wickets came in the middle and lower order after the top-order was damaged by Basheer Walters (2/46) and Andrew Birch (2/56).

Earlier in the day, two Morkel wickets helped clean up the Warriors’ tail as he ended with 3/54.

 

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VILJOEN AND COOK PUT LIONS IN SIGHT OF VICTORY

Hardus Viljoen SACA MVP Sunfoil Series 2015/16 winner  took six wickets and Stephen Cook struck an unbeaten half-century to carry the bizhub Highveld Lions to the brink of victory after two days of their Sunfoil Series opener against the BuildNat Cape Cobras in Johannesburg on Thursday.  Fast bowler Viljoen, whose early season form last year forced him into the Proteas set-up, took 6/75 as the visitors were bowled out for 211 at the bidvest Wanderers Stadium on the second day.

Despite that being the highest score of the match, the Cobras’ paltry first-innings 102 meant that the Lions needed 160 for victory and they were racing there thanks to Cook’s brisk 63 not out (56 balls, 12 fours).  They closed on 117/0 and needed just 43 more to seal a winning start to the campaign. Rassie van der Dussen was with his skipper on an unbeaten 43.  But the first half of the day was all about two of the country’s rising talents.

Despite Viljoen picking up his 21st career five-for, it was the man supporting him, Wiaan Mulder, who enjoyed a dream debut. The South Africa Under-19 captain was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings with his 3/10 and he took a fine 4/54 with his right-arm medium pace second time around. It meant the 18-year-old all-rounder shared all 10 wickets with Viljoen. Another rookie that enjoyed a stellar outing was Cobras all-rounder Jason Smith. The 21-year-old, playing in only the second franchise match of his career, fell five runs short of a century when he top scored with 95 (117, 16 fours) in the his side’s second innings.

Smith was also the pick of the bowlers earlier in the day when he took 4/24 as the Lions were bowled out for 154. Temba Bavuma finished unbeaten on 76 (119 balls, 12 fours, 1 six).

 

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RAMELA PUTS SA A IN A COMMANDING POSITION

An unbeaten century by Omphile Ramela put South Africa A in a commanding position before Zimbabwe A fought back by the close of day two of the first four-day Test in Harare on Sunday.

The Cape Cobras Sunfoil Series captain made 101 (224 balls, 9 fours) to take the tourists to 455/6 declared, with the hosts then replying with 107/1 in the 45 overs they faced in reply.

Ramela’s eight career first-class ton was all about patience as it took nearly five and a half hours to amass.

Contrastingly, there was an excellent lower-order blitz by all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius, who fell 11 short of a century after smashing 89 (83 balls, 10 fours, 4 sixes).

Ramela and Pretorius put on 125 for the sixth wicket, with the latter falling to the pick of the bowlers, Shingirai Masakadza (3/83).

The two other wickets to fall in the South African innings on day two were that of Test duo Stiaan van Zyl for 73 (183 balls, 5 fours) and Dane Vilas (1).

When it was time for the South Africans to bowl, the visitors managed just the wicket of Tino Mawoyo (30) in the final hour – the opener dismissed by Dane Piedt (1/23).

Vernon Philander’s return in national colours failed to produce any wickets, but his nine overs came at a cost of just 15. The Proteas’ seamer is playing his first game for his country since sustaining an ankle injury in November.

Zimbabwe’s hero of the day was Brian Chari with his 71 not out (152 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes) as they closed 348 runs behind.

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RAMELA RELISHING SA A CHANCE

Cape Cobras batsman Omphile Ramela is relishing the opportunity of representing the South Africa A team during their forthcoming assignments in Zimbabwe and Australia.

A group of national hopefuls have been in Pretoria over the past few days preparing for their tours to both countries.

The SA A team will play a two-match, four-day, Test Series against Zimbabwe A in Harare from 9-18 July 2016, before they head out to Australia for two four-day Tests and a triangular series that also involves India A.

“I think it’s a stepping stone to trying to get closer to playing for the Proteas,” Ramela said. “I think these tours are important and if one performs, it adds another feather to your cap and gets you closer to playing for the national team. That’s why everyone is here and what they are hoping for.”

Ramela is part of a strong batting contingent named for both trips, alongside others like captain Stephen Cook, Qaasim Adams, Heino Kuhn and Stiaan van Zyl, to name a few.

He said he was hoping to learn from the experience.

“It’s about imparting knowledge to other players, but it’s also about learning from them,” the 28-year-old said. “You can learn from each and I think it’s important to learn from each other.

“Even myself, I’m still growing as a player, but I’ll definitely be trying to help where I can and where my advice will be needed.”

Ramela, who captained the Cobras in the Sunfoil Series last season, recorded 592 runs at an average of 42.28. He also scored two hundreds and two 50s and is hoping to build on that form in 2016/17, starting with the A tours for his country.

He added: “I think the preparation more or less stays the same, you just try and improve on your weaknesses and really make sure your strengths always shine.

“So there’s nothing more different, but I think you really just try and tighten up your game and get better with the focus of trying to excel in the domestic season as well.”

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SACA CONGRATULATES DOMESTIC MVP WINNER DWAINE PRETORIUS

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) today congratulated Bizhub Highveld Lions all-rounder, Dwaine Pretorius, on winning its Most Valuable Player (MVP) title for his performances over the three domestic competitions in the 2015/16 season.  Pretorius finished on a total of 468, 282 points.

The SACA MVP is a cumulative points system that rewards franchise players for every run scored, wicket taken and catch held in the three franchise domestic competitions, and also takes into account the context of the match and in which the performances are achieved. Each of the CSA domestic competitions has a unique weighting for each discipline, dependant on what is considered more important in that format (for example strike rate and economy rate in the T20 format).

Following his remarkable start to the season, Pretorius’ hard work with bat and ball earned the Lion’s all-rounder a total of 641 runs and 60 wickets in all competitions. Despite picking up an injury half way through the season, Pretorius was a strong contender for the top spot throughout, and in the end, he took the overall MVP title, 31.929 points ahead of Sunfoil Dolphins left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj who finished second.

“The SACA MVP is something all of us franchise cricketers strive to win because it combines what you do with bat, ball and in the field in all three competitions.  It is recognised by players as a measure of consistency throughout the season.  I’m proud to have won this but must also give some credit to my Lions teammates in helping me to do it” said Dwaine Pretorius.

The SACA MVP rankings also focus on performances in each particular competition.  Bizhub Highveld Lions paceman, Hardus Viljoen clinched the top spot in the four day Sunfoil Series MVP rankings from team mate Pretorius, doing so in the Lions final match against the Warriors. Viljoen’s performance kept him in the running for the title as he held his position at the top of the ranking for five of the nine Sunfoil Series matches he played.  He finished the Sunfoil Series as the top wicket-taker with 47 wickets.

Alviro Petersen was a runaway winner of the Momentum One-Day Cup MVP award after a record-breaking season in which he scored 726 runs, an astonishing 31% of all his teams runs. His remarkable total included five centuries, four in consecutive matches, and was compiled at an equally remarkable strike rate of 100.13 runs per hundred balls. His was the outstanding contribution in the Lions’ successful Momentum One Day Cup campaign.

The Unlimited Titans T20 captain, Albie Morkel, started the RamSlam T20 with a bang and stayed within touching distance of the top spot throughout the tournament. Morkel’s steady flow of runs and wickets, as well as his captaining proficiency, saw him edge out the VKB Knights international star, Andre Russell, by just 0.92 points.

“I’d like to congratulation Dwaine on winning the overall SACA MVP,” said SACA chief executive, Tony Irish.  “To achieve the top spot a player has to perform for his franchise pretty much week in and week out throughout the season.”

“I would also like to congratulate Hardus, Alviro and Albie for leading the way in each of the domestic competitions.  There were some pretty impressive individual performances from a number of players this season and I think Heino Kuhn’s 1126 runs in the Sunfoil Series and Alviro Petersen’s five hundreds in the Momentum One Day Cup deserve special mention.  Well done also to the entire Titans squad for winning the Sunfoil Series and the RamSlam and to the Lions Squad for taking the Momentum One Day Cup.”

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PARNELL DELAYS TITANS TITLE BID

Wayne Parnell followed up his 12 wickets in the previous game with another five on the opening day of the Sunfoil Series clash between the Cape Cobras and The Unlimited Titans in Paarl on Thursday.

The Proteas’ left-arm quick bagged 5/62 as the log-leaders were shot out for just 168 at Boland Park.

Parnell, whose 12/105 set up victory against the Sunfoil Dolphins last weekend, was again in lethal form as he easily ran through the batting of the visitors. He was then one of the unbeaten batsmen at the close, which the home side reached on 172/5, thanks mainly to captain Omphile Ramela’s 84 not out (145 balls, 16 fours).

That gave them a lead of eight and capped a good day overall. The Cape side had won the toss and chose to bowl first with Parnell dismissing Heino Kuhn for a six-ball duck in the second over – the competition top-scorer still left stranded on 999 runs this season.

Dane Paterson (3/36) also helped Parnell dismantle the Titans, who had captain Henry Davids to thank for even getting any sort of meaningful total after he made 74 (96 balls, 8 fours, 1 six).

Davids was the second last wicket to fall with his side rolled over in 43 overs.

The Cobras were in early trouble on 10/2 thanks to twin Ethy Mbhalati (2/43) strikes, but recovered thanks to a 95-run fifth wicket stand between Ramela and Cebo Tshiki (47), the latter playing in just his second franchise game.

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ELGAR, ADAMS BAT TITANS TO A DRAW

A tremendous batting performances by Dean Elgar and Qaasim Adams helped the Unlimited Titans take a step closer towards the Sunfoil Series title with a battling draw against the bizhub Highveld Lions in their high-profile clash in Centurion on Sunday.

Proteas opener Elgar struck a monumental 173 (386 balls, 23 fours, 3 sixes) after batting for over nine hours with his side eventually finishing on 385/6.

Adams too played his part and was there at the end on 71 not out (190 balls, 10 fours) – himself batting for over four hours having arrived at the crease with defeat looking the likeliest of outcomes at SuperSport Park.

The top-of-the-table Titans had started out the day on 156/1 in their follow on innings and still needing another 223 to make the Lions bat again.

But they lost four wickets in the first session on Sunday as Grant Mokoena (27), Theunis de Bruyn (7), Mangaliso Mosehle (0) and Henry Davids (0) fell to the pace of Pumelela Matshikwe.

They were precariously placed at that stage on 216/5, but a 110-run sixth-wicket stand between Elgar and Adams rescued them. Not only did the pair keep hold of their wickets, but more importantly, they ate up time as their stand lasted more than 40 overs.

Matshikwe, who took all six wickets to fall for figures of 6/58 in 31 overs, eventually dismissed Elgar with more than 20 overs to play, but Adams found an unlikely batting ally in fast bowler Marchant de Lange. The Proteas paceman batted for over 20 overs with Adams to make 23 not out as the game ended in a draw.

 

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KUHN HELPS TITANS EXTEND SUNFOIL SERIES LEAD

Heino Kuhn scored a half-century as the Unlimited Titans rushed to an impressive eight-wicket win over the Warriors on the fourth day of their Sunfoil Series match at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

The opener, who began the day on 29, raced to his half-century off 62 deliveries, before being dismissed for 67 (89 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) with the hosts reaching 145/2 to complete the win.

In the process Kuhn became the first player, this season, to go past 900 runs and he took his overall aggregate to 944 runs, well ahead of the next highest run-getter, the bizhub Highveld Lions’ Stephen Cook who has collected 720 runs.

It had looked as if rain might have had the final say in the match with the first session of the day washed out. But play resumed after an early lunch had been taken with the Titans needing just 82 runs for victory.
The Pretoria-based team needed just 13.1 overs to knock off the required runs and complete a comprehensive win that saw them strengthen their position atop the Sunfoil Series standings. Kuhn made his intentions clear from the first over of the day as he struck four consecutive fours off the bowling of seamer Sisanda Magala.

Dean Elgar (39) and Kuhn shared in a 102-run opening stand, scoring at almost five runs to the over, before Elgar was caught at midwicket off the bowling of left-arm spinner Jon-Jon Smuts.

Kuhn eventually departed but, by that stage, the Titans needed just 15 runs to win which they duly achieved with Grant Mokoena ending on 27 not out. Left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was the undoubted star of the show in the contest as he ended with match figures of 12/173 to claim the man-of-the-match award. Shamsi has now taken a remarkable 32 wickets in just five matches at an average of 16.84.

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KNIGHTS CLIMB UP TO SECOND PLACE

Pite van Biljon scored a vital half-century as the VKB Knights pulled off a stunning run chase to narrowly edge out the Cape Cobras by three wickets late on the final day of their Sunfoil Series match in Bloemfontein on Monday.

The Cobras had been bowled out for 291 in their second innings just before lunch, holding a lead of 256 runs.

This after pace duo of Shadley van Schalkwyk (4/21) and Duanne Olivier (3/41) ripped through the visitor’s middle and lower order, claiming the last six wickets for 29 runs. Justin Ontong top-scored with 57 (85 balls, 8 fours).

Van Biljon then scored 82 not out (140 balls, 10 fours) to hold the Knights’ second innings together as the hosts reached 258/7 at the Mangaung Oval.

The win re-ignited the Knights’ title chances as they collected 18.44 points from the match to move above the bizhub Highveld Lions into second place on the log, just 11.64 points behind the log-leading Unlimited Titans with two matches left to play.

The Knights were left 70 overs to chase down the winning total, but needed just 60.3 overs to complete the victory.

Their run-chase was initially a touch rocky with the early loss of Reeza Hendricks (8), Michael Erlank (3) and Rudi Second (18), although Letlotlo Sesele (45) did provide the innings with some stability.

Van Biljon and Tumelo Bodibe (28) then set up the run-chase with a 66-run fifth-wicket stand, before Van Biljon and Werner Coetsee (36) hammered 61 runs for the sixth wicket off just 10 overs to take their team to the brink of victory.

Wayne Parnell helped the Cobras claw their way back into the match when he dismissed Coetsee and Van Schalkwyk (2) in consecutive overs to set up a tense finish.

But Van Biljon and Malusi Siboto (6 not out) took their team to the finish line.

Parnell ended with 3/68 and Lizaad Williams nabbed 3/49.

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DOLPHINS SEEK TO DERAIL LIONS

Interim Sunfoil Dolphins coach Roger Telemachus has set his sights on an upset against the bizhub Highveld Lions when the two sides come together in their Sunfoil Series contest in Pietermaritzburg starting on Friday.

The coastal side ran the top-of-the-table Unlimited Titans close last week when they fell 18 runs shy of victory in their drawn affair in Durban.

This time around they will be hoping to go all the way and beat the Lions, who themselves are still licking their wounds following a disappointing defeat to the VKB Knights in the previous round.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t quite go all the way on Sunday, but that’s cricket sometimes,” Telemachus, one of two co-coaches of the Dolphins alongside Yashin Ebrahim, said, “our batters are coming to the party and the bowlers are sticking to their plans, hopefully that can continue for the next three games!”

The hosts are presently fourth on the table, but a win, coupled with a few other results going their way, would push them right into the title mix.

“This weekend we have another tough game, in different conditions up in Maritzburg, but we have our plans and hopefully things can go well for us,” Telemachus added.

Opposite number coach Geoffrey Toyana saw the defending champions lose ground in their title bid last week when they were crushed by the VKB Knights.

“It was quite disappointing, we didn’t play well at all and we don’t have any excuses for it,” he said. “We’ve chatted about it and will be looking to move on in Pietermaritzburg.”

And Toyana is now wary of the dangerous Dolphins, adding: “There’s still three teams in it and maybe even four if you consider we are playing the Dolphins. They’re playing some really good cricket, so we’ll have to be wary of them as well.

“It’s a key stage of the season now and every result is important. I’m confident we will bounce back.”

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KNIGHTS VICTORY OPENS TITLE RACE

Half centuries from Reeza Hendricks and Michael Erlank helped the VKB Knights complete a comprehensive 10-wicket Sunfoil Series win over the bizhub Highveld Lions on the final afternoon of their clash in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Chasing a low target of just 115, the pair reached the mark in 32.4 overs with Hendricks ending unbeaten on 58 (112 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) and Erlank striking 55 (97 balls, 11 fours).

Their performance ensured the Knights forced themselves right back into the title hunt after the log-leading Unlimited Titans could only draw their game against the Sunfoil Dolphins in Durban.

The Pretoria-based side still head the table with 93.08 points, followed by the Lions (86.16) and the Central Franchise on 82.24.

The Knights also had their bowlers to thank on Sunday after they claimed the final five home wickets for 90 and fairly quickly on the final morning to raise their hopes.

Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma, on 20 overnight, barely lasted five overs without adding to his overnight total, before he was dismissed by Shadley van Schalkwyk (2/52).

Dwaine Pretorius (29) was out before him having added five to his day three score and was sent on his way by Duanne Olivier, the pick of the bowlers with 4/63. The Knights fast bowler ended with seven wickets in the match.

Once the two overnight men fell, the door was opened for the Central Franchise as they had the Lions all out for 218 in 68.4 overs. The match was effectively a three-day contest after day one at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium was abandoned due to rain and a wet outfield.

 

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DOLPHINS WIN CONVINCINGLY IN EAST LONDON

Andile Phehlukwayo ended with career-best figures as the Sunfoil Dolphins completed a comfortable innings and 54-run victory over the Warriors early on day four of their Sunfoil Series clash in East London on Sunday.

The young all-rounder claimed 4/39, beating his previous first-class best of 3/69, to ensure the hosts were bowled out for just 187 in their follow-on innings.

Jerry Nqolo top-scored for the Warriors with 64 (144 balls, 9 fours), before he was eventually the second last man to fall when he was cleaned up by the spin of Keshav Maharaj (2/49).

Craig Alexander (1/47) accounted for Ayabulela Gqamane (8), while Phehlukwayo dismissed Thandolwethu Mnyaka (16).

Only 21 overs were bowled on the final morning, with the Warriors adding exactly 50 to their overnight score.

Despite not being amongst the wickets on the last day, Daryn Dupavillon ended with 2/32 in the second innings and was named man-of-the-match for his overall analysis of 7/81.

The result handed the Warriors a fifth defeat in six games this season and left them firmly rooted to the foot of the table, while the Dolphins stayed fourth, but now within seven points of the third-placed VKB Knights.

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2015/16 SUNFOIL SIZZLER

 

Hardus Viljoen of the bizhub Highveld Lions has bagged the Sunfoil Series Sizzler award for the first five rounds of the Sunfoil Series which currently sees The Unlimited Titans, the VKB Knights and the bizhub Highveld Lions locked in a three-way battle for four-day cricket supremacy. The Lions are the current title holders.

The Sunfoil Sizzler award is worth R15 000.

Viljoen, who made his debut for the Castle Lager Proteas in the third Sunfoil Test match against the England touring team at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, has had a phenomenal Sunfoil Series campaign taking 30 wickets in 4 matches. This included back-to-back 10-wicket hauls in successive matches against the Sunfoil Dolphins and the Warriors.

Other players who came strongly into contention for the award were his bizhub Highveld Lions team mate, Dwaine Pretorius, Werner Coetsee of the VKB Knights, Keshav Maharaj of the Sunfoil Dolphins and Tabraiz Shamsi of The Unlimited Titans.

“Congratulations to Hardus on his Sunfoil Sizzler award,” commented Cricket South Africa (CSA) General Manager: Cricket, Corrie van Zyl. “His performance in taking back-to-back 10-wickets hauls is special and earned him a fully deserved call-up to the Proteas.

“The results over the past six weeks have also shown that our domestic game is healthy, particularly if you look at the way players have taken the step up to international cricket when the opportunity has arisen. Stephen Cook’s century on debut for the Proteas underlines this point.”

The South African Cricketers’ Association Most Valuable Player index (SACA MVP) is used as the measuring tool in determining the Sunfoil Sizzler of the Month.

The SACA MVP is calculated using an internationally recognised formula which takes into account every discipline in the game of cricket.  Batting, bowling, fielding, captaining and winning are all factored in within the context of each individual match. Individual player performances in pressure situations, for example, carry more weight; thus players who deliver when their team needs them most, earn more points.

The SACA MVP latest ranking standings are updated weekly on the SACA website (www.saca.org.za), and may be viewed ‘per competition’ or by having a look at the ‘overall’ standings.

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RAMELA SECURES COBRAS DRAW

Omphile Ramela scored a century as the Cape Cobras batted out the final day of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Sunfoil Dolphins at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday.

The visiting captain, who scored 89 in the first innings, made 107 with his side following on, helping them reach 361 for six before shaking hands with opposite number Khaya Zondo on the stroke of tea.

Only 64 overs were bowled on the final day, with the match seemingly going nowhere on a slow pitch and the Cape side 202 ahead.

It was only Ramela’s seventh career century and first of the season, while both his scores in the match improved on his previous best score of 46 during the current campaign.

He did not do it all by himself though, with the Cobras having good contributions from Justin Ontong (74), Dane Vilas (54) and an unbeaten 53 from 22-year-old Keegan Petersen.

Andile Phehlukwayo (2-37) and Keshav Maharaj (2-130) picked up two wickets apiece – the latter collecting seven in the match from a mammoth 93.2 overs.

Ramela was named man of the match and his Cobras side walked away with 5.2 points compared to the 7.9 for the Dolphins.

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BEHARDIEN TON RESCUES TITANS

Farhaan Behardien recorded his eighth first-class century as the Unlimited Titans recovered from a poor start to reach stumps on day one of their rain-affected Sunfoil Series clash against the bizhub Highveld Lions on 285 for seven at Senwes Park.

After winning the toss and batting in the top-of-the-table clash, the visitors found themselves in all sorts of trouble by lunch when they fell to 104 for four.

But Behardien, the stand-in captain, shared in a vital rebuilding stand of 157 with David Wiese (69) that helped them momentarily to seize the initiative.

The fifth-wicket partnership came from just 34 overs with all-rounder Wiese collecting 69, before both set men fell late on a rain-hit day.

There was even time for a third wicket in the last session, meaning the home side held the advantage by the close.

They had been in a solid position after the first session when three wickets by the in-form all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius (4-57) set them back. He included among his wickets two of the Titans’ key men – Heino Kuhn (six) and Theunis de Bruyn (18).

But Behardien and Wiese looked to have weathered the storm by taking their side to 249 for four with less than 10 overs to play.

The returning Hardus Viljoen (2-80) then struck some telling late blows to leave the second-placed Johannesburg side with the edge.

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PRETORIUS BOOSTS LIONS SPIRIT

All-rounder Dwaine Pretorius has enjoyed two memorable weekends of Sunfoil Series action for the bizhub Highveld Lions.

First he starred with the bat to deny the Cape Cobras what looked a certain win, before claiming six wickets with the ball to help the Johannesburg side secure an unlikely victory over the VKB Knights this past weekend. Those results have kept the Lions right in the title mix as they look to defend the crown they won last season. The 26-year-old admits the win this past weekend in Kimberley, which came inside three days, was a huge surprise.

“I arrived on day three thinking we are not going to bowl and will probably bat all day,” he said. “But there we were bowling before lunch and got a few wickets and it was all over just after tea, so it was a real roller coaster. “I’m just glad we were the ones that pulled off the win.”

The Lions started day three on 18 without loss, before themselves being bowled out for 94. That left the Knights needing 138 to win, but they were rolled over for just 92 with Pretorius picking up three for 37. He said they always had belief that they could defend such a low total.

“We thought it would be possible, I mean 140 on that wicket, it was going to be tough. But because we had them 50 for five in the first innings, we had that belief,” Pretorius said.

The result came a week after the same player and the Lions tail helped their side escape with an epic draw in Paarl.”Last week was crazy,” Pretorius, who made 101, added. “We decided to keep fighting and not give them an easy win. “You never know when those extra points will come in handy. I’m just really proud of the hundred I scored there, I’ve not scored too many, so that was right up there. But after I got out, we still needed the tail and I think they did excellently in the circumstances.”

 

 

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TITANS PULL OFF LATE WIN OVER DOLPHINS

Heino Kuhn’s attacking half-century proved key for The Unlimited Titans as they stayed top of the Sunfoil Series table with a memorable four-wicket win over the Sunfoil Dolphins deep on the final day at Sahara Park Willowmoore on Sunday.

The opener, who made 129 in the first innings, plundered 62 in 57 deliveries as the hosts chased down a tough 173 victory target in a little over a session to claim the win. Qaasim Adams also played a vital role with his 38 anchoring the majority of the chase, which came in 33.5 overs.

The visitors will regret not taking up more time with the bat in their innings. They relied heavily on a century from Imraan Khan (107) – his 18th first-class ton – to get them to 255 after starting out the last day on 65 for one.

Khan shared in important stands of 91 with Vaughn van Jaarsveld (47) for the second wicket and 74 with Sibonelo Makhanya (30) for the sixth wicket to get them there. Ethy Mbhalati (3-42) and Tabraiz Shamsi (3-38) were the pick of the bowlers.

The Durban side then failed to keep their Pretoria rivals in check as they scored at 5.17 to the over to reach their target with 3.1 overs remaining.

The Titans picked up 19.28 points for the win, compared to the 6.14 for the Dolphins.

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TITANS STRIKE LATE TO JOLT DOLPHINS

Late wickets by the Unlimited Titans fast bowlers helped restrict the Sunfoil Dolphins to 357 all out on the opening day of their Sunfoil Series clash at Sahara Park Willowmoore on Thursday.

Ethy Mbhalati and Marchant de Lange shared seven wickets for the hosts, but half-centuries by Imraan Khan, Khaya Zondo and Daryn Smit ensured the visitors held the slight advantage in Benoni.

Wicketkeeper Smit top-scored with a fluent 85 from 111 deliveries, while opener Khan anchored a solid start with 83.

Zondo, meanwhile, made 65 before he was out on the stroke of tea. But the Dolphins may rue the fact that they lost their last six wickets for less than 100. They had progressed nicely through to 244 for four during the afternoon, but the Titans’ opening bowlers struck some telling blows.

Mbhalati, the pick of the bowlers with four for 48, accounted for Khan, Vaughn van Jaarsveld (30), Sibonelo Makhanya (one) and Craig Alexander (two).

De Lange took three for 79 – his wickets being captain Divan van Wyk (nought), David Miller (26), both bowled, and Keshav Maharaj (13).

The Titans, who won the toss and chose to bowl, faced two overs in their reply to reach stumps on two without loss.

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FRUSTRATED COBRAS SEEK WARRIORS REDEMPTION

The Cape Cobras did everything right in their last Sunfoil Series outing against the bizhub Highveld Lions over the weekend.

They made runs, they took wickets and they had their opponents on the ropes for most of the final day. But they lacked the knockout blow in Paarl, one that would have given them a first win of the competition this season.

Instead they had to settle for an exasperating draw, which did snap a two-game losing streak, and they will be looking to build on that when they travel to St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth to face the Warriors in a bottom-of-the-table clash starting on Thursday.

They have had plenty of things to work on since Sunday, according to coach Paul Adams. “We had to work very hard during that game,” he says. “The bowlers were quite short and it’s something we’ve had to work on afterwards.

“For us it’s mainly been about recovering since then. We know we’re on the right track and it’s about following those same processes going forward, making sure we’re fresh and ready come Thursday.”

Adams feels there are many positives to take away from the result and hopes they can build on them in the Eastern Cape. “A draw in the game was as good as a loss, we get the same amount of points,” he added. “It’s important for me that we can pick it up from here and continue with that momentum.”

Richard Levi is fit again after a foot injury and is expected to come into the middle-order for JP Duminy, who marked his return to form with an outstanding 260 not out at Boland Park.

While the Cobras were left frustrated by the Lions’ tail – they were one wicket away from victory – their opponents, the Warriors, were thwarted by the rain.

But just like their opponents, their washout against the Sunfoil Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg, ended a two-game losing streak start to the competition. “It was frustrating what happened, but at least our bowlers got some rest and we hope that will assist us going into this game,” coach Malibongwe Maketa stated.

Seamers Basheer Walters and Sisanda Magala are both carrying niggles and face late fitness tests.

Maketa is expecting a tough assignment against their Cape rivals, adding: “It’s always a good challenge against the Cobras, who are a very good side. Having come so close to a victory in that game last week, they’ll be determined to set the record straight.”

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