In a low-scoring match the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins and the Cape Cobras had their respective campaigns curtailed by 32 overs on the third day of their Supersport Series four-day cricket match at Kingsmead on Saturday.
At that stage the Cobras, with three wickets in hand, led the Dolphins by 197 runs as they amassed 195 for seven in their second knock after securing a two-run first-innings advantage.
The Dolphins made 214 against the Cobras 216 on the first two days of the match.
Beginning the third morning on 41 for no wicket, the Cobras were rocked back on their heels by rookie left-arm seamer Saidi Mhlongo for the second time in the match as they were soon reduced to 56 for three.
Following on his three for 47 in 18 overs in the first innings, he again disposed of openers Andrew Puttick (18) and Darren Bassage (20), with Nante Hayward chipping in by dismissing Warren Wyngaard for 10.
Then came a stand of 49 for the fourth wicket as JP Duminy (11) and HD Ackerman (61) held out before Mhlongo again struck to have them both added to his impressive match haul of seven wickets thus far.
Ackerman’s innings held the Cobras batting intact, at a time when the Dolphins threatened a quick breakthrough, and he shared in another major partnership to go with that with Wyngaard for the fourth wicket. This time he found a useful ally in Vernon Philander (27) as they added another 47 for the fifth wicket.
Ackerman fell to Dale Benkenstein when he edged a catch to Rivash Gobind with his 61, including 11 boundaries.
With hopes now raised, the Dolphins had further success in getting rid of Cobras captain Thami Tsolekile without scoring as Benkenstein and Jon Kent bowled tightly and miserly. Indeed Kent sent down five consecutive maidens for the wicket of Philander.
But just as they did in the first innings, Alan Dawson (12) and Paul Adams (13) defied the Dolphins in adding an unbeaten 38 for the eighth wicket to leave the match delicately poised going into the final day on Sunday. — Sapa