The Highveld Lions can consider themselves to be in the driving seat after two days of their Supersport Series match against the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins at the Maritzburg Oval, but they will be hoping for better weather over the next two days if they are to press for victory.
When rain halted play on Friday — first after the tea break and then after another hour — the Dolphins were labouring on 190 for seven wickets in reply to the Lions impressive first-innings total of 334 scored off 83,2 overs — this after the Lions had taken their overnight score from 289 for nine with the addition of 45 valuable runs on Friday morning.
Their innings was bolstered by a sparkling 158 by Vaughan van Jaarsveld, who eventually fell to a catch by Tyrone Pillay off the bowling of Yusuf Abdullah.
He added 30 to his overnight score in an invaluable 10th-wicket stand.
Their 334 set the Dolphins an initial target of 185 to avoid a follow-on. And they did just that by the end of day two.
That was thanks to another fine knock from Lance Klusener, who hits two sixes and four fours on his way to 33 after the Dolphins had stumbled to 120 for five.
Spinner Claude Henderson wreaked havoc among the Dolphins batsmen after lunch, taking four wickets for 54 in 16 overs from the Town end that had many of the Dolphin batsmen floundering — Klusener apart.
With poor weather forecast for the third day on Saturday, the Lions will be hoping for better fortunes in dismissing the Dolphins cheaply enough to give them a fighting chance of victory on Sunday. — Sapa