PORT ELIZABETH – There was a timeous return to form for Hashim Amla and Zubayr Hamza as the Cape Cobras set the Warriors a daunting target in their 4-Day Domestic Series clash on Friday.
Amla made 61 (135 balls, 8x4), while Hamza, the latest addition to the Proteas set-up for the Test series against Pakistan, made an unbeaten 78 (95 balls, 10x4, 1x6) at St George’s Park.
The performance of the visiting batsmen meant the hosts were set a target of 418 for victory, and they began the chase well by reaching stumps on 93/0.
But before that, the day had largely belonged to Janneman Malan.
Playing his first season of four-day franchise cricket, he has impressed thus far with a century and a 50.
And he added a second to that list alongside Amla, who was slightly under pressure to prove his form ahead of that first Test in Centurion starting next week.
The pair added 137 for the second wicket, before Hamza took over and added 98 with Kyle Verreynne (35 not out) for the fourth wicket – the Cobras declaring in 111.4 overs.
Openers Gihahn Cloete and Eddie Moore then gave the Warriors hope thanks to their fluent unbeaten opening stand of 93.
The pair scored at nearly four to the over to bring the equation down to 325 needed on the final day.
Moore was the anchor with his 26 off 68 balls, while Cloete was the aggressor as he went to stumps not out on 59 off 84 balls (10x4).
STUMPS DAY 3 | The @WarriorsCrickEC openers, Cloete 59* and Moore 26*, see out the final session to end day the day on 93/0. They need 325 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand.
We're in for an exciting final day in Port Elizabeth #WARvCOB #4DaySeries #StrengthInDiversity pic.twitter.com/bSYDzaXg4Z
— COBRAS CRICKET (@CobrasCricket) December 21, 2018