De Bruyn, Petersen flay hapless Cape Cobras

Knights captain Theunis de Bruyn fell just five runs short of a double hundred on Wednesday. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Knights captain Theunis de Bruyn fell just five runs short of a double hundred on Wednesday. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Published Sep 20, 2017

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CAPE TOWN – The quicker this opening round of Sunfoil Series matches can conclude, the better it will be for the Cape Cobras.

After a poor batting display on the opening day, which saw the visitors rolled for just 159 in 41 overs, it was the bowlers’ turn to humiliate this once proud franchise on Wednesday.

Former Cobras batsman Keegan Petersen and Knights captain Theunis de Bruyn forged ahead during the first two sessions on day two, with the pair adding 295 runs for the second wicket.

It was only when Petersen was dismissed for 141 (283 balls, 18x4) that there was any relief for the Cobras as they picked up a couple of wickets before the tea interval.

But that was not before De Bruyn put his name right ahead of the queue for a slot in the Proteas middle-order for the first Test against Bangladesh, which starts on September 28 in Potchefstroom.

The skipper struck a magnificent 195 (259 balls, 24x4, 1x6) before falling just five runs short of well-deserved double ton.

David Miller, though, would have been disappointed with his effort. The T20 “gun-for-hire” has expressed a desire to be considered for the Proteas Test side, and Wednesday was the ideal opportunity to lay down a marker.

He was well set on 39 off 47 balls too, but was then trapped lbw by Cobras captain Dane Piedt.

Century up for @KeeganKP(100, 217b, 12x4) vs @CobrasCricket. @KnightsCricket in control 255/1 #ItsKnightTime #SunfoilSeries pic.twitter.com/3kV8dqs766

— VKB Knights (@KnightsCricket) September 20, 2017

However, there was no further relief for the visitors, with the Knights driving home their ascendancy during the final session.

An unbroken 137-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Rudi Second (65 not out, 8x4) and Werner Coetzee (70 not out, 8x4, 1x6) flattened Piedt’s side, with the Knights finishing on 551/4 – a lead of 392 runs.

The four Knights wickets to fall were shared between Dane Paterson (1/102), Tshepo Moreki (1/70), Piedt (1/128) and Justin Ontong (1/48).

Brief Scores

Cape Cobras 159 – Hashim Amla 56; Shadley van Schalkwyk 5/30

Knights 551/4 – Theunis de Bruyn 195, Keegan Petersen 141

Knights lead by 392 runs

@ZaahierAdams

 

IOL Sport

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