The second day of the Sunfoil Series clash between the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and the WSB Cape Cobras at the Pietermaritzburg Oval swung in favour of the visitors, as they take a 41 run lead into Saturday’s third day with three first innings wickets in hand.
Day one was cut short due to poor light in KwaZulu-Natal’s capital on Thursday and the Dolphins began the second day on 282/9. They added just three runs to their overnight total before the last man, Kerwin Mungroo, was dismissed LBW to Dane Paterson for a duck.
Dane Paterson was the standout bowler for the Cobras, finishing with impressive figures of 4/58, while Tshepo Moreki and Dane Piedt chipped in with two wickets apiece.
The East Coast team made a promising start with the ball, claiming the wicket of in-form Pieter Malan cheaply when he was caught by wicketkeeper Dane Vilas off Rabian Engelbrecht’s bowling.
Andrew Puttick then became Engelbrecht’s second victim, bowled by the fast bowler for seven runs.
The Cobras regained some momentum as Zubayr Hamza and Stiaan van Zyl looked to steady the innings. Hamza was eventually bowled by off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen for 32, leaving the visitors at 52/3.
Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne joined van Zyl, and together they forged a strong partnership of 92 runs for the fourth wicket. Van Zyl was dismissed for a well-crafted 63 runs off 99 balls, bowled by Mungroo.
Verreynne remained composed as Aviwe Mgijima joined him in the middle. The pair further built the innings, reducing the gap between the sides.
Their 111-run stand took the Cobras close to surpassing the Dolphins’ score before Verreynne was dismissed LBW to Subrayen for 88 runs.
Mgijima had passed fifty before Verreynne’s dismissal and continued to impress alongside Dane Piedt.
The powerful Mgijima scored freely towards the end of the day, finishing unbeaten on 95 as stumps were drawn.
The Cobras ended the day on 326/7, holding a first innings lead of 41 runs.
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