Hollywoodbets Dolphins opener Vaughn van Jaarsveld proved his worth once again with an uncompromising hundred as the home side made a strong start to their CSA 4-Day Franchise Series clash with the WSB Cape Cobras at the Pietermaritzburg Oval on Monday.
Having been inserted under gloomy skies in the province’s capital the Dolphins started brightly with Van Jaarsveld and Michael Erlank, playing his second match for the franchise, putting on 100 for the first wicket at a good clip.
Erlank went to his fist half century for the Dolphins before he was bowled by spinner George Linde for 50, nelson striking with the Dolphins 111 for one.
A fifty run stand followed between Van Jaarsveld and the in-form Marques Ackerman – who was busy at the crease.
Ackerman’s innings came to an end on 23 when he too was castled by the tall left-arm spinner Linde with the score on 161 in the 45th over.
Captain Khaya Zondo was at the crease with Van Jaarsveld when the left hander went to his 21st first class hundred off 143 deliveries with 12 boundaries and a six.
Zondo scored a quick-fire 25 from just 28 deliveries before he became Dane Paterson’s first victim, LBW. The Dolphins had moved along to 216 for three in 54 overs.
Sibz Makhanya became Linde’s third victim, also LBW, for a duck.
Nine runs later Van Jaarsveld’s knock came to an end, caught by Aviwe Mgijima for 120 from just 153 deliveries.
With 226 on the board the Dolphins were five wickets down and Grant Roelofsen joined Senuran Muthusamy at the crease to try and build on the solid start.
Roelofsen compiled a patient 17 before he became Dane Piedt’s first wicket of the day.
It was the job of Muthusamy and Keshav Maharaj to take the Dolphins forward and the pair went unbeaten until the players were called off for bad light.
Muthusamy is 27 not out while Maharaj is 20 not out off 21 balls and the Dolphins finished the day on 293 for six.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins v WSB Cape Cobras:
Sarel Erwee, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Michael Erlank, Marques Ackerman, Khaya Zondo (c), Sibz Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy, Grant Roelofsen (wk), Keshav Maharaj (vc), Eathan Bosch, Keith Dudgeon, Okhule Cele, Kerwin Mungroo, Prenelan Subrayen.
