Twin centuries from Keegan Petersen (121 off 129 balls) and Pieter Malan (171 off 130 balls) have taken the Rocks to a solid score of 323/4 in their CSA One Day Cup match against the North West Dragons at the J.B. Marks Oval on Sunday, 1 October.
A rock-solid partnership 233-run between Petersen and Malan for the third wicket laid the foundation for the Rocks’ total in their 50 overs.
Earlier on, the Dragons won the toss and opted to field. This option seemed to pay off on a two paced pitch as they had the Rocks at 43/2 after 15 overs.
The experienced Malan together with Petersen rebuilt the innings with calm assuredness to put the Rocks in control during the middle overs. The pitch also started to get harder in the warm temperatures, which made batting easier as the innings progressed.
Petersen could have lost his wicket when he was on 61, but Meeka-eel Prince dropped a skier at mid-off.
The Dragons dropped another three chances including Malan on 98 in the deep to compound to their catching woes. Key wickets would have halted the Rocks momentum, but the men from Paarl continued to find the boundary with relative ease.
Malan was especially ruthless against Kerwin Mungroo who he smashed for three sixes in one over. Malan hit 9 sixes and 10 fours in his innings.
The Dragons batsman will now need to fire on all cylinders in what should be an interesting chase as both sides look to get their first win of the competition.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
