The four-day Supersport Series match pitting the Lions against the Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg remained balanced in favour of the Lions, who had 266 runs to the good, after three days on Saturday, with four wickets standing.
When a steady drizzle began during the tea break, the Lions were on 142 for six in their second innings, having gained a first-innings lead of 124 by dismissing the Dolphins for 210 in reply to their 334.
After play had been held up for 30 minutes, the two sides battled it out in weather that ranged from gloomy to reasonably bright. Then, rain showers caused stoppages at 85 for five and again at 142 for six before the umpires again called a halt to the proceedings in mid-afternoon for the third successive day.
The Dolphins, resuming at 190 for seven, advanced to their 210 as Friedel de Wet claimed two wickets rather cheaply, and left-arm spinner Claude Henderson got to a five-wicket haul by dismissing Johan Louw (21) for 68 off 21 overs. De Wet finished with four for 59 and the other wicket fell to Garnett Kruger, leaving Andrew Tweedie high and dry on 31 not out.
The Lions’ second innings was a bit of a disaster at first as the top order collapsed to the bowling of Yusuf Abdullah. He snapped up Stephen Cook (7), Alviero Petersen (10) and Justin Ontong (10), with Lance Klusener chipping in with the wicket of Neil McKenzie for five in a caught and bowled dismissal.
That left the Lions reeling at 36 for four, but once again the steady influence of Vaughan van Jaarsveld saved the Gauteng side as he got to 67 not out to go with his first innings of 159.
Tweedie got rid of the determined Enoch Nkwe for 10 and it was left to Claude Henderson (6) to hold the Dolphins at bay along with Van Jaarsveld until the premature close. — Sapa