The familiar spectre of batting collapses continued to haunt the Warriors as they tottered to 38 for four at the close of the second day of their Supersport Series cricket match against the Cape Cobras at St George’s Park on Friday.
The slump in the day’s final 20 overs by the Eastern Cape side threatened to undermine a fine bowling performance which saw them restrict the visitors to 211 for nine declared. This was in reply to the Warriors’ first innings of 263.
The 52-run first innings lead, extended to an overall 90 by the end of play, was made possible by an excellent professional debut by former Boland fast bowler Mario Olivier. The 22-year-old, who had only played two first-class games going into this match, produced career-best figures of four for 71 to secure his immediate future in the Warriors team.
Five Cobras batsmen passed 30 but none could do better than JP Duminy’s top score of 40 which was testimony to the persistency of the Warriors attack in favourable batting conditions.
The Cobras made a flying start against Mfuneko Ngam, who battled to find the right areas and conceded 32 runs in his opening three-over spell. But Olivier sparked a showing of great heart by the Warriors bowlers as they struck back in impressive fashion, helped by some good catching in the outfield.
Visiting skipper Thami Tsolekile dispensed with the idea and banked on tailender Charl Willougby to provide a few runs to declare at 211 for nine. It proved a smart move, giving his opening pair 20 overs to go at the Warriors batsmen, and Willougby and Monde Zondeki responded by scything through the top-order to bring their team right back into the match.
It’s going to take a remarkable batting recovery by the remaining Warriors batsmen to swing this game back in their favour when play resumes at 10am on Saturday. – Sapa