Pietermaritzburg – The Cape Cobras made a strong start on the opening day of the new domestic four-day season when they bowled out the Dolphins for 88 runs before cruising to a 40-run lead in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.
Rory Kleinveldt, Beuran Hendricks and Dane Piedt all took three wickets apiece as the 2012/13 winner dismissed the hosts for 88 in 47.4 overs, before reaching the close on 128 for three.
Stiaan van Zyl was leading the charge with a commanding 63 not out from 75 balls on a sluggish track which suited the spinners.
The Dolphins, who won the toss and batted under overcast skies, struggled to cope with the discipline of the Cobras' bowlers, with Hendricks (3/21) doing the early damage, Piedt (3/41) keeping it tight in between and Kleinveldt (3/15) striking late.
Only three batsmen reached double figures, including top-scorer Vaughn van Jaarsveld on 39.
The response was strong from the Cape side as they raced past the home side's score inside 25 overs, before Van Zyl reached his 24th first-class 50 in just 58 balls.
He shared a 68-run stand with Justin Ontong (23) for the third wicket, although Keshav Maharaj (2/38) broke the stand shortly before play was curtailed for bad light 10.5 overs early.
In East London, Proteas' batsman Dean Elgar scored the first century of the season on his way to rescuing the Knights from a troubled start to post 307/8 against the Warriors.
Opening the batting for the Free Staters, the 26-year-old made 122, his 19th career ton, after his team had slumped to 76/4 after winning the toss and batting first at Buffalo Park.
Elgar was eventually out, following a 171-ball stay in the middle, before Lefa Mosena rallied the late order with an unbeaten 67.
Werner Coetsee also struck 40, but apart from that, the rest of the Knights' batsmen failed as Andrew Birch (2/59), Rusty Theron (2/63) and Simon Harmer (2/84) shared six wickets between them to leave the match evenly poised.
Finally, Centurion witnessed the second three-figure individual score of the day after an impressive display by the Lions against the Titans with Cook leading from the front.
The visiting skipper carved out a fine 113 from a patient 217 balls in the capital to anchor a solid 328/5 by the visitors.
Cook's 24th career century included 13 fours and helped lay a solid foundation for the Lions, who also had a fine 88 off 170 deliveries from diminutive batsman Temba Bavuma.
The pair shared in the highest partnership of the day, a strong 172 for the second wicket, which had come after the early loss of Dominic Hendricks for 13.
Neil McKenzie (34) also put on 70 with Cook before falling, with Thami Tsolekile (16 not out) still there by the close, leaving the Titans with plenty to ponder. – Sapa