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Johannesburg - Neil McKenzie came agonisingly close to his 17th first class century as he helped the Highveld Lions to a solid 290 for six in their first innings on the opening day of their Supersport Series match against the Diamond Eagles at the Wanderers on Thursday.
Grant Mokoena, playing in his second match for the Lions, started well, scoring at a run a ball, before being caught in the gully before falling to Ryan Bailey's second delivery of the match.
Mokoena was caught at third-slip by Rilee Rossouw for 16.
Jonathan Vandiar hit six boundaries on his way to 30, but was caught in the slips by Boeta Dippenaar off Dillon du Preez.
McKenzie and opener Stephen Cook put on 66 together before CJ de Villiers was able to claim his 100th first class wicket when he bowled Cook for 51 - his 19th first class half century.
De Villiers struck again in his next over, with Vaughn van Jaarsveld caught by Rossouw without scoring.
Zander de Bruyn joined his captain, and they shared a fifth-wicket stand of 134 off 190-balls. It was a somewhat stop-start partnership, with McKenzie at one stage scoring three successive boundaries off Bailey before going back into his shell.
Bailey finally got his revenge with McKenzie caught by wicketkeeper Morne van Wyk on 99.
Thandi Tshabalala crawled to four off 36 balls before De Villiers claimed his third wicket of the day.
With the light fading fast, the umpires offered the batsmen the light, and play was ended eight overs early. De Bruyn, who reached his 30th half century off 81 deliveries, was not out on 57 and Cliffie Deacon had yet to score.
