Warriors toil against Cobras

Paarl - A career-best innings by Simon Khomari ensured the Cape Cobras drove home their advantage on the second day of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Warriors in Paarl on Friday.

The left-handed opener, who is in his debut franchise cricket season, struck his highest score of 70 (238 balls, 8 fours) in his sixth match for the hosts as they reached stumps on 352/8 - in reply to the visitors’ 217.

He was one of four batsmen to score half-centuries at Boland Park, with the others being Justin Ontong with 58 (80 balls, 8 fours), Stiaan van Zyl, after his 54 (102 balls, 10 fours) and an unbeaten 66 (100 balls, 12 fours) by Wayne Parnell.

Tshepo Moreki (16) was with Proteas’ all-rounder Parnell by the close - the pair sharing in an unbroken 59-run stand - to ensure that the Cobras lead the Warriors by 135 in their bottom-of-the-table clash.

For the Eastern Cape side, paceman Basheer Walters was the pick of the bowlers with 4/67, while spinner Simon Harmer collected 2/49.