Alviro Petersen maintained his rich run of form this season by striking a fine 165 to help the Lions end the first day of their SuperSport Series match against the Warriors, being played at St Georges Park, on 345 for four.
The South Africa opener batted almost the entire day for his third century of competition and one that helped him jump to the top of the batting charts with an aggregate of 721 runs.
Jonathan Vandiar (58), Neil McKenzie (52) and Temba Bavuma, not out on 57, all struck half-centuries on a day that was dominated by the bat at St George’s Park.
There was only one real fright for the Lions, who won the toss and elected to bat, with Stephen Cook dismissed in the third over of the day for a nine-ball duck.
Petersen was well supported by Jonathan Vandiar, who shared a second-wicket stand of 110 and Neil McKenzie, who helped add 126
for the third-wicket and, finally, 87 for the fourth-wicket with Bavuma.
No wickets fell in the afternoon session, although McKenzie fell immediately afterward when he was sent on his way by Jon-Jon Smuts.
Bad light intervened in the 89th over of the day, although they did return for five overs, which proved a distraction for Petersen, who was eventually caught out, edging Simon Harmer to Arno Jacobs, with the Lions in control.
In the other match of the round, a century from Stiaan van Zyl put the Cape Cobras in as strong position against the Dolphins at the Maritzburg Oval in Pietermaritzburg.
The young number three collected his ninth first-class hundred, making 110 off 196 balls. There were also strong half-centuries from Yaseen Vallie (71) and Justin Ontong (60) which enabled the visitors to reach 311 for four at close of play.
There was solid batting from the top order with Yaseen Vallie sharing stands of 50 for the first-wicket with Andrew Puttick and 87 for the second with Van Zyl.
Van Zyl (110 off 206 balls with 15 fours) and Justin Ontong then provided the major partnership of 127 for the third-wicket. Although both batsmen were dismissed on the same total, the Cobras still moved comfortably ahead to the close with Justin Kemp and Richard Levi having already added an unbroken 47 for the fifth wicket.
All the home bowlers struggled, although Robbie Frylinck did manage to bag three for 122, bowling spin as opposed to his usual medium pace.
The Capetonians were depleted severely by national call-ups heading into the game with JP Duminy, Robin Peterson and Rory Kleinveldt all missing. - Sapa