Runs flowed from the willow of the North West Dragons batsmen on the first day (Thursday, 30 November) of the CSA 4-Day Cup division 1 match against the KZN Inland Tuskers at the the J.B. Marks Oval in Potch.
Four batters reached half-centuries in their total of 431 all out. Grant Mokoena (74 off 97 balls), Lesiba Ngoepe (79 off 84 balls), Rubin Hermann (78 off 121 balls) and Meeka-eel Prince (64 off 79 balls) all played top knocks to the Dragons in control on day 1.
It will be frustrating that none managed to reach three figures on the day, but nonetheless they contributed to a healthy total.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
The KZN Tuskers struggled in the first session with the Dragons cashing in on some wayward bowling. Mokoena and Senokwane put on an 86-run stand for the first wicket, before the former and Ngoepe milked runs at will in a 75-run partnership for the second wicket.
Mokoena also took a liking to Thando Ntini, smashing him for four boundaries in a row, which garnered applause from the Dragons change room.
The Dragons also scored their runs at a quick rate in the first session at a run a ball which on a hot sunny day, did the Tuskers no favours.
The Tuskers had a much better afternoon session after tea, with pace bowler, Keith Dudgeon taking figures of 6/102. Dudgeon removed both Senuran Muthusamy and Migael Pretorius for golden ducks with two superb deliveries. He also dismissed Wihan Lubbe (48), Ngoepe, Hermann and Duan Jansen (34).
Dudgeon lead by example, picking up wickets at crucial intervals to give the Tuskers hope.
The North West Dragons bowlers will start day 2 knowing that a good first session could point them in the direction of victory.
Duan Jansen, Kerwin Mungroo, Migael Pretorius and debutant, CJ King will form the pace attack for the Dragons with Sen Muthusamy as the spin option.
The Dragons will need a win to move up in the table. They are currently in fifth place on 25.74
points with two draws from as many matches.
The Tuskers are 11.14 points and bottom of the log after a loss and a draw.
The Lions currently occupy first place on the table with 40.24 points.
