Duminy, Vilas show their class

Cape Town - JP Duminy provided an instant reminder of his class to the national selectors with a big century as the Cape Cobras dominated the opening day of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Highveld Lions in Paarl on Thursday.

The Proteas batsman, dropped for the second Sunfoil Test match against England in Cape Town, struck a fine unbeaten 153 off 260 deliveries to help the hosts amass 348 for four at Boland Park.

Dane Vilas also returned to form with a blistering 109 from 105 balls to ensure the struggling Cobras enjoyed their best day of the competition to date.

The Capetonians found themselves in the unfamiliar surroundings of last on the log heading into round three and did not make the best of starts after openers Simon Khomari (0) and Andrew Puttick (18) fell cheaply.

But from 21 for two, captain Omphile Ramela (46) and Duminy added 123 for the third wicket.

The Vilas-Duminy stand then yielded an unbroken 171 after the pair had come together shortly before tea.

It was hard work for the visiting bowlers, with one wicket apiece for competition leading wicket-taker Hardus Viljoen (1-48), Dwaine Pretorius (1-66) and Aaron Phangiso (1-84).