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Johannesburg - The SuperSport Series match between the Highveld Lions and the Dolphins petered out into a tame draw at a bitterly cold Wanderers on Sunday
However, the bragging rights went to the Dolphins, who won the battle for the bonus points, 8.20 to 5.22.
When the players walked off the “Bullring” due to bad light the Lions had scored 260 for five, with Zander de Bruyn on 39 and Thami Tsolekile on seven with an inconsequential lead of 52 runs.
After a delayed start due to a waterlogged outfield, the hosts resumed on their overnight score of 27 without loss, with Stephen Cook on one and Alviro Petersen on 25.
Looking to erase a Dolphins first-innings lead of 181, Cook and Petersen got the innings off to a positive start constructing a first-wicket partnership of 85.
Petersen was the aggressor setting about the task with gusto, his 50 coming off 55-balls.
He ultimately paid the price for his impatience, looking to hit Kyle Abbott over the square-leg boundary, he came up short and was caught by Friedel de Wet for 64.
Jonathan Vandiar, 27, took up the chase striking Proteas leggie Imran Tahir for a huge six over extra cover, but the spinner got his man, inducing him to edge the wrong one to keeper Daryn Smit.
Neil McKenzie looked to be in good form but misread a Robbie Frylinck delivery and was hit on the pads and given out leg before.
Cook, 78 off 229-balls, which included nine boundaries, became Tahir's third victim also adjudged leg before.
His innings, however, was obdurate to the extreme, as his 31st first-class half-century took 152-balls, but in the context of the game it was all important.
The game had several highlights, that made it memorable: Hashim Amla's third double century - two for the Dolphins and one for the Proteas - compiled off 281-balls, and Alviro Petersen's workmanlike 186.
Amla was named man-of-the-match.
SuperSport Series points position after round 1: Chevrolet Knights 18.64, Sunfoil Dolphins 8.2, Nashua Titans 5.54, bizhub Highveld Lions 5.22.
Byes: Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras and Chevrolet Warriors.
