JOHANNESBURG – New Warriors captain Jon-Jon Smuts completed a ninth career century to give his side control of their Sunfoil Series encounter against the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers on Wednesday.
The right-hander made 117 (149 balls, 14x4, 2x6) as the men from the Eastern Cape made 503/8 declared in their season opener, before Sisanda Magala’s double strike left the home side on 91/2 at the close – trailing by 412.
Smuts, who was unbeaten overnight on 12, had good lower-order support from Clyde Fortuin (65 off 123 balls, 10x4) and Magala, who made an attacking 43 off 57 balls.
Wiaan Mulder ended with 4/70, while new Lions signing Omphile Ramela took 2/49.
Proteas quick Kagiso Rabada went wicketless in 27 overs, which cost 59 runs.
The hosts then reached 44/0 in reply, before Magala displaced Test opener Stephen Cook (20) and Rassie van der Dussen (25), both lbw.
Mulder (25) and Ramela (15) then showed their worth with the bat by putting on an unbroken 38 for the third wicket before the close.
Although Magala grabbed 2/23, there was also a notable debut for young quick Lutho Sipamla, who bowled seven overs for the impressive figures of four maidens and just 12 runs conceded.