The NW Dragons batsmen finally showed true grit and resilience in the CSA 4-day series campaign in their draw against the Dolphins at the J.B. Marks Oval from 25 to 28 November.
Dragons middle-order batsman, Shaylen Pillay scored a majestic unbeaten 156* (265) with opener Lesego Senokwane (91 off 177 balls), just missing out on a century in their first innings total of 313/2. Chris Britz also scored an unbeaten 60 (144).
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
Both sides could only bat for one innings, due to persistent rain taking a large chunk of game time on days 1 to 3. Day four gave the Dragons batsmen the chance to spend some time in the middle and reach the 300-run mark for the first time this season, finishing on 313/2 after 100 overs.
Pillay and Senokwane knew they had to bat out the final day, in pursuit of the Dophins 400/9. Both applied great composure against a top Dolphins attack, blocking out the good balls and sending the poor ones to the boundary. Pillay’s century is also the Dragons’ first of the 4-day series this season.
Pillay and Senokwane put on a brilliant 169 run partnership for the second wicket, which put the Dragons on course for a draw and bonus point that now takes them to seventh place on the log (31.16 points) after four matches.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
The Dolphins had earlier posted 400/9 declared on day two before sending the Dragons in to bat. Here, former Dragons batsman and now Dolphins captain, Marques Ackerman, hit a fine 123 (156) before the Dragons debutant, Jesse Albanie, got his wicket.
Delano Potgieter was the pick of the Dragons bowlers, claiming a five-for (5/85). The Dragons will now have some time off before heading to Paarl for the final match of the year against the Paarl Rocks from 19 to 22 December.
A win for North West will take them into the sixth position above the Rocks, so this will be an important match between the two newcomers to Division 1. Western Province is currently in the last position on the log with 30.38 points. The Lions top the log with a perfect unbeaten record on 92 points and, at this stage, look to be the number one contender for the title.
