Cobras begin defence with win

Pietermaritzburg - A terrific spell of seam bowling by Beuran Hendricks led the defending four-day champions the Cape Cobras to an innings and 98-run victory over the Dolphins in their season-opener in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.

The left-armer bagged six for 54 and a match haul of nine for 75 as the hosts were bundled out for 212 just before lunch under sunny skies at The Oval.

All his wickets came on day three, when the Dolphins fell from 125 for one at the start to an embarrassing loss, the root of which goes back to their 88 all out in the first innings.

They made a dreadful start to proceedings and initially lost five wickets for just 14 to start the day, including Hendricks landing a double blow in the second over of play.

The 23-year-old sent Divan van Wyk packing for his overnight 52, trapped leg before wicket with what was his first delivery of the day.

Vaughn van Jaarsveld offered a straightforward catch to Justin Kemp at second slip for a duck five balls later, while Hendricks took his third wicket when Khaya Zondo was also caught on his crease lbw.

Morne van Wyk capped a poor debut by claiming a pair when he was bowled by Rory Kleinveldt and Cody Chetty's attempted-pull went horribly wrong as he looped Hendricks gently to Omphile Ramela at mid-on.

Keshav Maharaj and Daryn Smit managed to keep the Cobras wicketless for the next nine overs, before the latter edged Kemp to Andrew Puttick at slip for 16.

Hendricks, who completed his 10th career five-wicket haul, and Kleinveldt, mopped up the tail to help the Cobras begin with a bang.