Johannesburg – Alistair Gray struck his 11th career century to help the Cape Cobras end the third day of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Warriors in control at Boland Park in Paarl on Saturday.
The right-handed opener made 125 from 236 deliveries as the hosts finished the day on 282/5, with an overall lead of 278.
Gray, who top-scored with 67 in the first innings, shared in a 116 stand for the second wicket with Stiaan van Zyl (75) to leave their team well-placed to push on for a second win of the season.
They had begun the day on 24 without loss with Gray reaching 50 from 105 deliveries during a 93-run opening stand with Andrew Puttick, who fell in the penultimate over before lunch, miscuing a drive off JJ Smuts to Simon Harmer for 29.
The home side went to lunch on 100 and after the break, Gray and Van Zyl began to accelerate.
They put on 110 in a wicketless session for the Warriors, with Gray reaching his ton from 184 deliveries.
Their partnership reached 100 in 208 balls straight after tea, before Van Zyl reached his 22nd first-class 50 in a rather patient 136.
But Gray was then dismissed by Harmer, who has sent down an incredible 42 overs thus far, with a hooked effort picking out Wayne Parnell at fine leg.
Basheer Walters (1/30) accounted for Justin Ontong (one) with the new ball, the captain caught behind by wicketkeeper Athenkosi Dyili.
Van Zyl added a further 51 with Yaseen Vallie (28 not out), before he was bowled by JJ Smuts (3/38), who then had Justin Kemp (12) caught by brother Kelly Smuts at long on with what turned out to be the final delivery of the day.
Elsewhere on Saturday, play in the match between the Dolphins and the Knights at the Pietermaritzburg Oval was washed out for a third successive day.
After rain washed out the opening two days, a wet pitch forced the abandonment of day three despite the sun shining brightly for the first time over the city. – Sapa