Skipper Cook stars for Lions

Johannesburg - Lions captain Stephen Cook fell five runs short of his century, helping his team to 275 for seven at the close of play on the first day of the four-day Sunfoil Series match against the Warriors at the Wanderers on Thursday.

Cook and veteran Neil McKenzie shared a third-wicket stand of 118 runs after both Gulam Bodi and Temba Bavuma had been dismissed cheaply by the visitors.

Right-arm seamer Aya Gqamane broke the century partnership when he had McKenzie trapped leg before wicket for 50.

Full scorecard

The 23-year-old bowler then dismissed Zander de Bruyn (5), caught at slip by Ashwell Prince, and then took the big wicket of Cook, castled on 95.

Thami Tsolekile and Brett Pelser wrested back control, putting on 99 runs together before Andrew Birch struck with two quick wickets.

Pelser caught by Gqamane for 35 and, with his next delivery, dismissed Eddie Leie for a duck.

Tsolekile reached his 50 off 78-balls, hitting five fours and the only six of the day. When bad light stopped play, he was unbeaten on 64.

Gqamane, who came through the ranks via Mfuneko Ngam’s academy, returned three for 42 while Birch chipped in with Bavuma’s wicket earlier in the day and his two quick wickets just before the close.

Teams:

Highveld Lions: SC Cook (captain), GH Bodi, T Bavuma, ND McKenzie, Z de Bruyn, TL Tsolekile (wicketkeeper), BJ Pelser, E Leie,Imran Tahir, GJP Kruger, P Matshikwe, E O'Reilly, D Pretorius, GC Viljoen, WA Deacon, Q de Kock, CH Morris, D Klein

Warriors: ML Price, DJ Jacobs (captain), JT Smuts, AG Prince, A Jacobs, C Jonker, SR Harmer, A Gqamane, BD Walters, ACR Birch, GR Rabie, AZM Dyili (wicketkeeper), KR Smuts, WD Parnell, CA Ingram