Seamer Rory Kleinveldt ended with five wickets to help the Cape Cobras wrap up an innings victory over the Lions early on the third day of their SuperSport Series match at Newlands on Saturday.
The margin of victory was an innings and 83, a second consecutive match the defending champions have won batting just once, and it helped them surge to the top of the standings.
The Lions, who were rolled over for a poor 86 in their first innings, resumed the day on 146/7 in reply to the home side’s 341, with Cliffe Deacon and Dale Deeb together in an unbroken 52-run stand.
The two bowlers came together with their team struggling on 94/7, adding 16 runs to their overnight tally, before Kleinveldt drew an edge from Deeb to wicketkeeper Dane Vilas for 36.
Kleinveldt then bowled Craig Alexander (nought) in the same over, which was the fifth of the day, before Pumelela Matshikwe (two) could do nothing but defend another good delivery straight to Vilas with the Lions all out for 172.
Deacon ended unbeaten on 35 from 81 deliveries as his side slumped to a second loss of the season.
Kleinveldt ended with 5/42 and Robin Peterson two for 25, with the Cobras leapfrogging the Knights and the Titans to top the competition standings after a third win out of four matches played. – Sapa