After battling the weather in their first two matches the Hollywoodbets Dolphins got their CSA 4-Day Domestic series match against the table-topping Itec Knights off to a solid start, albeit with the weather having the final say, finishing the opening day on 197/6, thanks to a gutsy half century from Keegan Petersen.
After battling the weather in their first two matches the Hollywoodbets Dolphins got their CSA 4-Day Domestic series match against the table-topping Itec Knights off to a solid start, albeit with the weather having the final say, finishing the opening day on 197/6, thanks to a gutsy half-century from Keegan Petersen.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first the Dolphins found themselves under pressure as the visitors struck early, when Bryce Parson misjudged a cut shot off Mbulelo Budaza to leave the hosts at 4/1 in the fourth over.
Keegan Petersen joined opener Thamsanqa Khumalo at the crease and steadied the ship with an 87-run second-wicket partnership, which ended when Petersen feathered an Alfred Mothoa delivery to the keeper for a brisk 57.
Three balls later the Free Staters’ tails were up when skipper Marques Ackerman was caught behind without scoring, giving Mothoa his second wicket of the over.
Khaya Zondo then joined Khumalo at the crease and took the Dolphins close to the 100 before Khumalo edged a sharply rising delivery from Gerald Coetzee into the slip cordon for a patient 36.
With the South-Westerly wind picking up Ruan de Swart and Zondo kept the pressure on the Free State bowlers.
Zondo, fresh from his double century in Cape Town a fortnight ago, was particularly positive, and put the home side firmly back in the driving seat.
They added 85 runs for the fifth wicket before Zondo misjudged a Mothoa delivery and fended the ball into the gulley fielder’s hands two runs shy of his half-century.
With the wind strengthening and light fading Andile Phehlukwayo added eight before he left a ball from spinner Patrick Botha that found his off stump.
When the players left the field after 72 overs had been bowled de Swart was on 41 and Eathan Bosch on 1, taking the Dolphins to their overnight 197/6.
