JON-JON SMUTS fell three runs short of his fourth century of the season as the Chevrolet Warriors made a solid reply to the mammoth bizhub Highveld Lions’ first innings total on the second day of their SuperSport Series match at Axxess St. George’s on Friday.
He did, however, get the consolation prize of becoming the second player this season to top 700 runs.
Smuts (97 off 121 balls, 15 fours and a six) shared a partnership of 134 for the third wicket with Ashwell Prince (70 not out off 97 balls with 11 fours) and the latter will bat into day three with the Warriors having posted 240/3 in reply to the Lions’ total of 519/8 declared.
The highlight of the second day belonged to Temba Bavuma of the Lions who made his fourth century and his highest score of 147 (218 balls, 19 fours) at franchise level. It was only five runs short of his career best of 152 not out for Gauteng against Easterns in the CSA three-day competition two seasons ago.
Smuts has so far had an excellent match as he took four wickets in combination with fellow spinner Simon Harmer who took three.
The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras held a huge advantage at the halfway stage of their match against the Sunfoil Dolphins at the Maritzburg Oval. They currently hold a first innings lead of 286 runs while the Dolphins only have three first innings wickets in hand.
Another spinner, Siya Simetu, had an excellent franchise debut for the Cobras. Batting at No. 9 he made 41 runs and shared useful partnerships of 52 for the eighth wicket with Johann Louw and 44 for the 10th wicket with Charl Willoughby.
The left-arm spinner then captured the important wickets of David Miller and Daryn Smit.
The Dolphins did themselves no favours by having two of their first three batsmen run out.
