Cobras has Dolphins on the ropes

File picture. Proteas batsman JP Duminy at Sahara Park Newlands. Photo: Leon Lestrade

File picture. Proteas batsman JP Duminy at Sahara Park Newlands. Photo: Leon Lestrade

Published Dec 18, 2010

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The Cobras were on song with bat and ball on the third day of their SuperSport Series cricket match against the Dolphins in Paarl on Saturday.

After the Cobras' first innings closed just ahead of the lunch break at 515/5 declared, they tore into the Dolphins batting line-up to dismiss them for 99 runs in their first innings.

The visitors were left 416 runs behind and the Cobras enforced the follow-on..

The Dolphins' second innings was not as fragile but they were at 63 for two at the close of play, still trailing by 353 runs with eight wickets remaining.

The stage was set for an emphatic performance from Cobras batsmen JP Duminy, Justin Ontong and Ryan Canning, all of whom hammered the Dolphins attack in the morning session.

Duminy's unbeaten 200 was a first-class career high and he was at his most aggressive once he passed the magical century mark, cracking seven sixes and four boundaries as he raced to his double century. He advanced from 103 to 200 runs with a mere 59 balls.

The Cobras's innings was declared closed when Duminy reached his double ton, scored off only 201 balls. His fourth-wicket stand with Justin Ontong (127, 13 fours) was worth 229 runs.

At the tail end of the innings Duminy also enjoyed an unbeaten 124-run stand with Ryan Canning, whose knock had a limited-overs look about it.

Canning cracked five fours and a six to make 53 off 50 balls, and together with Duminy they scored at a rate of eight runs an over for the last 16 overs of the innings.

More woes followed for the Dolphins when they came out to bat a few overs before lunch.

Two wickets fell in six overs ahead of the break, and when the Dolphins returned, the Cobras attack combined splendidly to end the innings on 99 runs.

Upfront pacemen Charl Langeveldt (two for 13) and Vernon Philander (four for 33) made the breakthroughs before spinners Robin Peterson (one for six) and Justin Ontong (two for 13) struck in the middle of the innings.

The Dolphins offered far more resistance when they set out in their follow-on innings after Imraan Khan (eight) perished in the sixth over at the hands of Philander.

Ahmed Amla (six) also surrendered his wicket near the close of play, with Khaye Zondo (31 not out) and Ravi Bopara (14 not out) at the crease when stumps were drawn. – Sapa

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