McKenzie stars in tame draw

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 27, Neil McKenzie of the Lions plays a sweep shot during day 2 of the SuperSport Series match between bizhub Highveld Lions and Chevrolet Knights at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on January 27, 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 27, Neil McKenzie of the Lions plays a sweep shot during day 2 of the SuperSport Series match between bizhub Highveld Lions and Chevrolet Knights at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on January 27, 2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa Photo by Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

Published Feb 5, 2012

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Highveld Lions captain Neil McKenzie smashed his second ton of the match on Sunday, but while both sides made declarations on the final day, the visitors played to a draw against the Dolphins in Durban.

The Cape Cobras, meanwhile, also secured a draw to go top of the SuperSort Series standings, leading by less than a point over the Titans with one round of matches left to play.

McKenzie led from the front after the Dolphins declared their first innings at 477/6 overnight.

The skipper made 101 not out before the Lions made a declaration of their own after tea, at 268/6, to give the hosts an unlikely target of 210 to win with 23 overs remaining in the day.

Proteas spinner Imran Tahir led the Dolphins attack, returning 4/88.

The home side, bottom feeders in the first-class competition, reached 50/1, needing another 160 runs for victory with nine wickets in hand, when stumps were drawn.

In Cape Town, Knights opener Reeza Hendricks put up a fight at the top of the order as the visitors held on for a tight draw against the Cobras.

Sent in to bat early in the morning session, the Knights trailed by 184 runs at the start of the second innings.

Seam bowler Vernon Philander and part-timer Justin Ontong combined well to restrict the Knights line-up.

Hendricks, however, held them together with an 82-run contribution, batting for five hours before he fell after drinks in the final session.

The Knights were on 176/7, still trailing by eight runs in the second innings with three wickets in hand, when the game was called to a close.

Philander took 2/28, returning match figures of 9/89, and Ontong picked up 3/25.

The Cobras had faced only 3.5 overs in the morning session before they declared their first innings at 529/9.

Tail-ender Johann Louw ended unbeaten on 108 for his second career century.

Seam bowler Ryan McLaren added the wicket of JP Bothma in the first over of the day to return innings figures of 4/86.

In East London, the match between the Warriors and the Titans was abandoned on Saturday without a ball bowled.

With no play possible for the third straight day, due to rain, officials called off the game. – Sapa

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