A double-century stand between Neil McKenzie and Temba Bavuma steered the Highevld Lions to 303 for six at stumps on the opening day of their SuperSport Series clash against the Dolphins in Durban on Thursday.
Veteran skipper McKenzie and 21-year-old Bavuma both smashed tons, sharing 228 runs for the fourth wicket to put the Lions in firm control before seam bowler Kyle Abbott led a late fight from the hosts.
Mthokozisi Shezi got the early breakthrough for the Dolphins after the Lions won the toss and chose to bat.
Shezi removed Lions opener Stephen Cook, who failed to score, in the second over of the day.
Cook’s opening partner, Gulam Bodi (20), and Jonathan Vandiar (25) both made starts, but the top order struggled to find their feet as the home side‘s opening bowlers kept them at bay.
McKenzie anchored the recovery but was eventually trapped lbw by Abbott for 109 runs Ä his 44th first-class century Ä with 12 overs left in the day.
Abbott, who took four for 61, removed Bavuma two overs later when he had the youngster, who compiled his fifth career ton, caught behind by Daryn Smit for 121.
The seamer put the Dolphins back in the game in the last over of the day when he dismissed Zander de Bruyn to give the hosts a sniff at the tail.
Elsewhere, in Cape Town, Knights opener Reeza Hendricks laid a solid foundation with his sixth career century as the visiting side’s top order shone against the Cobras.
Proteas seam bowler Vernon Philander, though, hit back for the Cobras after drinks in the final session as the Knights were restricted to 248 for five after they won the toss and opted to bat.
Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw joined forces midway through the morning session and laid the groundwork with a 178-run stand for the second wicket.
Philander broke the partnership shortly before the close of play, and followed through with the scalps of Boeta Dippenaar, Morne van Wyk and Werner Coetsee as the seamer took four wickets for only 26 runs.
Hendricks, who made 124, got a reprieve after drinks in the final session when he was dropped by Justin Kemp in the slips.
He was not as lucky, however, when Philander created another opportunity with the next ball and Mark Boucher held on to a fine edge behind the stumps.
Philander returned four for 42 in his destruction of the Knights middle order, but Rossouw held firm and was unbeaten on 88 at the close.
In East London, play was called off without a ball bowled in the match between log leaders the Titans and hosts the Warriors.
Heavy rain and a wet outfield made play impossible and the toss was delayed to Friday. – Sapa