Johannesburg – The Cape Cobras romped to an easy ten-wicket victory on Sunday against the Highveld Lions, thanks to a five-wicket haul by Dane Piedt in their season-opening Sunfoil Series match played at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom.
Despite some resistance from the Lions, including a magnificent innings by Quinton de Kock, the match was over before tea on the final day.
Resuming after lunch still 62 runs behind, De Kock and Thami Tsolekile shared a 90-run stand before Piedt came back into the attack and trapped De Kock in front.
His monumental innings of 194 was compiled in just over six hours (257 balls, 24 fours and three sixes). It was his highest first-class score and fourth century, but his first in four-day domestic cricket.
His innings was particularly valuable to his team as Alviro Petersen had been sidelined with an injury and did not take any further part in the match after dropping Andrew Puttick on the opening day.
Tsolekile watched his partner in awe as he contributed just nine runs to the 50 partnership with De Kock.He signalled his intent just three balls after De Kock had gone, marching down the track and smashing Piedt for six.
Although Chris Morris played on in the next over, Tsolekile found a partner in Hardus Viljoen. The pair added 20 until Piedt came back to claim his fifth wicket when Tsolekile holed out to Qaasim Adams (43 off 104 balls, five fours and one six).
Imran Tahir did not last long but the Cobras were forced to come out and bat again, needing just seven runs for victory.
Piedt ended with figures of 5/113 while Rory Kleinveldt assisted with his two wickets at a cost of 52 runs.
The match between the Knights and the Titans, played in Kimberley, ended in a draw.
The Titans were on 159 for four in their second innings, still trailing by 250 runs, when the match was called off.
Jacques Rudolph was unbeaten on 79 and Heino Kuhn on 32.
Ethy Mbhalati took 11 wickets in the match, taking 5/50 in the Knights’ second innings but it was Andrew Puttick’s 220 in the first innings, and Morne van Wyk’s 133, which put the match out of reach for the Titans.– Sapa