The Lions and Cape Cobras are currently battling it out in the Potchefstroom sunshine at Senwes Park in their opening 4-day franchise series match. The match started today and will conclude on Thursday, 10 October.
The Lions are the defending champions, but that tag soon went out of the window as the Cobras bowlers restricted the Lions batsman to 215 all out on a dry and dusty Senwes Park pitch. The lack of rain since September has also also contributed to the current state of the pitch. Something that Cobras spinner, George Linde, expertly used to his advantage as he took 4/67 in his 18 overs. Matthew Kleinveldt also took 3/34 with his right arm off breaks.
It was only Kagiso “Jonty” Rapulana with 84 not out off 130 balls who showed any real resistance. The NW batsman played a superb knock and together with number 11 batsman, Beuran Hendricks (29 off 50) rescued some pride for the Lions with a 72 run partnership to frustrate the Cobras bowlers.
The Cobras in reply are now currently 17/2 with both Malan brothers, Pieter and Janneman, back in the shed.
Former Gimmie, Nicky van den Bergh, also became the captain of the Lions’ 4-day franchise side for the first time today on his home turf.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
