DAY 2: Verreynne and Pretorius go big, while Sipamla gets a five-wicket haul

Titans v Tuskers

PIETERMARITZBURG: Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored an imperious century to put the Momentum Multiply Titans in the driver’s seat at stumps on the second day of their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Moothee Ram Tuskers at the Pietermaritzburg Oval on Monday.

The Titans, who were replying to the Tuskers’ first innings score of 286, were on 317/7 at the close of play. They lead the hosts by 31 runs with 8 wickets in hand. They had Pretorius (101*) and Neil Brand (93*) in the middle at stumps.

The Titans were on a healthy 179/2 when Pretorius walked out to bat. The visitors had reached that point courtesy of a 49-run opening partnership between Keegan Petersen (85) and Lesego Senokwane (24) and a brilliant 130-run second-wicket stand between Petersen and Neil Brand.

Pretorius did not allow the Tuskers’ bowlers to settle into a good line and length as he raced to his fifth first-class century. He faced 81 deliveries to reach the milestone. His partner, Brand, had compiled a patient unbeaten 174-ball 93. This is Brand’s 24th first-class half-century.

Ziyaad was the only successful Tuskers bowler with two wickets for 37 runs in 13 overs. Daryn Dupavillon, who conceded 55 runs in 16 overs, was the most economical with an economy rate of 3.44 runs an over.

Dragons v Dolphins

POTCHEFSTROOM: Nqobani Mokoena put on a brilliant show with bat and ball as he helped to put the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in a strong position in their match against the Eastvaal Renault Dragons at the JB Marks Oval.

The Dragons, who won the toss and elected to bowl first, were on 64/1 at stumps. They were replying to the Dolphins’ first innings score of 274. They trail the visitors by 210 runs with 9 wickets in hand. The hosts had Meeka-eel Prince (20*) and Diego Rosier (32*) in the middle at stumps.

Mokoena, who is playing in his third first-class match, scored a much-needed half-century that helped the visitors reach a decent total after an indifferent start to their innings. The Dolphins were on 123/6 and in need of a substantial partnership when he arrived at the crease.

The 19-year-old joined forces with Eathan Bosch for a 113-run eighth-wicket partnership. He was dismissed for a well-played 92-ball 72, which is also his maiden first-class half-century. His partner, Bosch, also registered a half-century during the course of their partnership. Bosch scored a valuable 60 runs from 84 balls.

Mokoena then denied the Dragons a strong start to their innings when he dismissed Lesiba Ngoepe in the first over. He was the Dolphins’ only wicket-taker with a single wicket for 12 runs in five overs.

Meanwhile, Alfred Mothoa was the pick of the bowlers for the Dragons. He took three wickets for 55 runs in 16 overs. He had support from Caleb Seleka and Carl Fryer, who took a brace of wickets each, while

Boland v Western Province

PAARL: Kyle Verreynne and Kyle Simmonds stood head and shoulders above the rest as WSB Western Province took control of their contest against Goldrush Boland at Boland Park.

Boland, who were replying to Western Province’s first innings score of 533/9d, were on 147/8 at stumps. They trail the visitors by 386 runs with two wickets in hand. The hosts had Shaun von Berg (21*) and Glenton Stuurman (1*) in the middle at the crease at the close of play.

Western Province reached their mammoth total thanks to Kyle Verreynne’s indomitable double century. The Proteas star added 68 runs to his overnight tally of 136. He was unbeaten on 204 from 305 balls when the visitors declared their innings closed.

Simmonds complemented Verreynne’s effort by making early inroads into the Boland batting line-up, dismissing Pieter Malan (11), Gavin Kaplan (9), and Aviwe Mgijima (23) before they got going. The left-arm spinner then accounted for Imran Manack (0) later in the day to complete his 18th four-wicket haul. He ended the day with four wickets for 53 runs in 21 overs.

Josh Breed chipped in with two wickets for 38 runs in 16 overs, while Tshepo Moreki and Dane Paterson took a wicket each.

Jhedli van Briesies put up a fight with 41 runs from 72 balls. He was the only Boland batter to go past the 30-run mark, while Mgijima, Von Berg and Lehan Botha were the only batters to score more than 20 runs.

Warriors v Lions

GQEBERHA: Lutho Sipamla bagged a five-wicket haul as the DP World Lions bundled the Dafabet Warriors out for 198 when they crossed swords at St George’s Park.

The Lions, who batted first and put 305 runs on the board, lead Warriors by 107 runs. They will kick off their second innings on Tuesday morning with the hope that they can record an unassailable total.

Sipamla, who shared the new ball with Codi Yusuf, ripped through the Warriors’ top order, taking three of the first four wickets that fell in the first 25 overs of the Warriors’ innings. The pacer then completed his five-wicket haul with the dismissals of Wesley Bedja and Kerwin Mungroo later in the day.

Sipamla finished the innings with five wickets for 53 runs in 17 overs. This is his seventh first-class five-wicket haul. Bjorn Fortuin was close to being unplayable and finished with three wickets for 22 runs in 20 overs, while Yusuf and Wiaan Mulder ended the day with a wicket each.

JP King was the Warriors’ shining light with the bat. The middle order batter tried to keep the hosts in the contest with a measured 54 runs from 101 balls. This is King’s third first-class half-century; unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to draw them closer to the Lions’ first innings score.