Rookie Second gives Knights the edge

PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 25, during the Momentum One Day Cup match between Sunfoil Dolphins and Chevrolet Knights at Maritzburg Oval on November 25, 2012 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Photo by Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images

PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 25, during the Momentum One Day Cup match between Sunfoil Dolphins and Chevrolet Knights at Maritzburg Oval on November 25, 2012 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Photo by Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images

Published Jan 12, 2013

Share

Johannesburg – A career-best double ton from rookie wicketkeeper Rudi Second followed by a fiery new ball burst helped the Knights turn their Sunfoil Series match against the Titans on its head in Benoni on Saturday.

There was also a superb century from Dillon du Preez (118) as the visitors piled on 475 – a lead of 140 – before reducing the defending champions to 24 for three by the close.

Second, playing in his debut senior season, resumed the day on 64 not out and ended it with 210 from 433 deliveries during a marathon knock that lasted close to 10 and a half hours.

He shared in a fine 253-run eighth wicket partnership with Du Preez, to ensure their side recovered from 190 for seven the day before to post a significant lead.

CJ de Villiers (4/73) and Shaun von Berg (4/117) picked up four wickets apiece.

The hosts then returned to bat with a tricky one hour passage ahead of them before the close.

And their top order was blown away by veteran new-ball pair of captain Johan van der Wath and Du Preez, who reduced the home team to none for three.

Earlier on Saturday, an attacking half-century from Quinton de Kock helped the Highveld Lions wrap up a comprehensive eight-wicket victory before tea on day three of their clash against log leaders the Cape Cobras in Cape Town.

De Kock struck 55 from 75 deliveries and Neil McKenzie added a quickfire 28 off 14 with the visitors reaching the 124-run victory target in 27.4 overs.

Earlier, veteran all-rounder Zander de Bruyn took 3/16, for a superb match haul of 8/55, to lead the way as the hosts were dismissed for just 169.

More than half of those runs came from Qaasim Adams, who struck 88.

The left-hander, who resumed on 27 when the Cobras started on 81/6 in the morning session, lost partner Johann Louw (12) in the fourth over of the day when he was cleaned up by Proteas spinner Imran Tahir.

That left the Cape side on 96/7, before Charl Langeveldt (19) added 63 with Adams to lift their team beyond the 150-run mark. Adams reached his 11th first-class half-century in 55 deliveries.

Proteas T20 wicketkeeper De Kock and Stephen Cook (16) began the run chase briskly as the Gauteng outfit coasted to 50 in the 16th over.

The two put on 73 before the opening stand was broken by Alistair Gray, who removed De Kock.

McKenzie and Temba Bavuma (14) added the finishing touches as the win was sealed with over 40 overs still remaining in the day.

Victory kept the Lions in third, but moved them to 71.12 points from six games, just behind the Warriors (74.38) and the Cobras, who now have 86.06 from seven matches. – Sapa

Related Topics: