Dolphins dominate Day 2

Durban - A century from Divan van Wyk put the Dolphins in charge at the halfway stage of their domestic four-day encounter against the Warriors at Kingsmead, in Durban, on Friday.

The left-hander hit a patient 127 off 308 deliveries, adding to half centuries by Imraan Khan (74) and David Miller (71), as the home side closed on 335 for five on day two, a lead of 162.

It was a tough day at the office for the visitors, who struggled to create too many openings despite keeping the scoring in check with Basheer Walters the pick of the bowlers, with two for 55.

After Van Wyk and Khan put on 131 for the first wicket, with the latter getting to his 37th first-class 50 in 92 balls, Khaya Zondo (five) fell quickly leaving the total on 143 for two.

But Cody Chetty (34) helped put on 70 with Van Wyk, who also added another 84 with Miller during a partnership in whch he reached his 100 in 233 balls.

Both, though, fell before the close, although the Dolphins, who are riding on a high after winning the T20 Challenge at the weekend, were well placed by the end of proceedings.

In Cape Town, Lonwabo Tsotsobe helped the Highveld Lions recover from a calamitous batting display by bagging five for 33 to bowl the Cape Cobras out for an even poorer 101.

The visitors had themselves been bundled out for 119 earlier in the day -- 136 behind on first innings scores -- having resumed on 36 for three overnight.

Top-scorer Temba Bavuma (32) and Neil McKenzie (20) put on 43 for the fourth wicket, before Justin Kemp (2/13) initiated the first breakthrough.

It was downhill from there for the Gauteng outfit with Dane Piedt the pick of the bowlers after claiming four for 28. Dane Paterson also chipped in with three for 33 leaving the Lions all out in 54.2 overs.

Proteas paceman Tsotsobe and Hardus Viljoen (2/41) then smashed through the top order leaving the defending champions on 42 for six at one stage, with Imran Tahir (3/26) mopping up the tail to leave the home side all out in 29.5 overs. Shaheen Khan top scored with 24.

That left the Lions needing 238 for victory and by the close, they had already lost three wickets for 62 -- one each for Kemp (1/20), Paterson (1/20) and Piedt (1/14) -- but captain Stephen Cook was still there unbeaten on 37 with 176 more to win.

Finally in Kimberley, a remarkable rearguard action from the Titans tail helped them recover to close on 273 for nine in reply to the Knights' first innings 291.

The visitors, who had started batting at the start of the day, found themselves in a huge hole at 142 for seven after Quinton Friend (4/45) was destructive early on.

But the tail wagged wonderfully for the Pretoria side thanks to an unbroken 78-run 10th wicket partnership between top-scorer CJ de Villiers (44) and debutant Vincent Moore (33).

That left the Titans 17 behind and the top-of-the-table Knights on the back foot by the end.