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Johannesburg - The Knights gave the Highveld Lions an almighty scare, but ultimately rain ensured that their Sunfoil Series clash at the Wanderers was drawn on Sunday.
The weather-affected encounter did not look likely to produce a result when just 58 overs were played over the first two days, but the Knights briefly altered the prognosis on day four when they bowled the Lions out for 121 and forced them to follow on.
When the Lions were reduced to 37/3 in their second innings the possibility of a result grew, but the forecasted rain duly arrived shortly before tea to resign the Knights to a draw.
The Lions had begun the final day on 54/2 in response to the Knights’ 329/6 declared in the first innings, and with the draw seeming an absolute certainty.
However, the Knights bowlers had other ideas. Seven overs into the day Neil McKenzie was dismissed by Corne Dry, and nine overs later Devon Conway was caught behind off the bowling of Malusi Siboto.
That opened the floodgates, with Siboto dismissing Cook for 45, Quinton Friend (4-35) removing Brett Pelser and Pumelela Matshikwe, and Werner Coetsee taking 2-2 in 2.2 overs.
The Lions lost their last five wickets for the addition of 13 runs in less than five overs, conceding a 208-run deficit on first innings and allowing the Knights to enforce the follow-on.
The hosts then lost their openers to Dry, whose first spell brought figures of 2-2 in six overs, and Temba Bavuma to Coetsee, but were guaranteed a draw when a thunderstorm rolled in to wash out the rest of the match.
The lack of a result left the Knights frustrated, as they saw the Cape Cobras grow their lead at the top of the standings.
The weather-affected encounter did not look likely to produce a result when just 58 overs were played over the first two days, but the Knights briefly altered the prognosis on day four when they bowled the Lions out for 121 and forced them to follow on.
When the Lions were reduced to 37/3 in their second innings the possibility of a result grew, but the forecasted rain duly arrived shortly before tea to resign the Knights to a draw.
The Lions had begun the final day on 54/2 in response to the Knights’ 329/6 declared in the first innings, and with the draw seeming an absolute certainty.
However, the Knights bowlers had other ideas. Seven overs into the day Neil McKenzie was dismissed by Corne Dry, and nine overs later Devon Conway was caught behind off the bowling of Malusi Siboto.
That opened the floodgates, with Siboto dismissing Cook for 45, Quinton Friend (4-35) removing Brett Pelser and Pumelela Matshikwe, and Werner Coetsee taking 2-2 in 2.2 overs.
The Lions lost their last five wickets for the addition of 13 runs in less than five overs, conceding a 208-run deficit on first innings and allowing the Knights to enforce the follow-on.
The hosts then lost their openers to Dry, whose first spell brought figures of 2-2 in six overs, and Temba Bavuma to Coetsee, but were guaranteed a draw when a thunderstorm rolled in to wash out the rest of the match.
The lack of a result left the Knights frustrated, as they saw the Cape Cobras grow their lead at the top of the standings.
