Lions' old firm takes charge

Johannesburg - The Highveld Lions relied on the old firm of Neil McKenzie and Zander de Bruyn to bat their side into a commanding position on the opening day of their SuperSport Series match against the Warriors at the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday.

The pair shared a century fourth wicket stand (116 runs in 38 overs) to enable the home side to reach 323/5 at the close after winning the toss.

De Bruyn contributed 62 off 130 balls with seven fours while McKenzie (81 not out off 157 balls with 8 fours and a six) is well placed to go on to his 43rd first-class century.

The other main contributor was Stephen Cook who gave the side his customary solid start (74 off 131 balls with 12 fours).

Andrew Birch was far and away the most successful Warriors bowler, taking 3/65 in 18 overs.

Meanwhile, in Cape Town, the Dolphins took three wickets for 72 runs in the final session to put a break on a good start by the Cape Cobras at Newlands.

Stiaan van Zyl and Justin Ontong had put the Cobras in a strong position with a third wicket stand of 107 in 34 overs but both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession in the final session to leave the Cobras 246/5 at the close after they had won the toss.

Van Zyl was bowled by Dane Paterson - 14 runs short of what would have been a well deserved century (86 off 195 balls, 8 fours) and it was the run out of Ontong (61 off 127 balls, 8 fours) shortly afterwards that set the Cobras back.

Ontong had looked particularly solid and ready to build on the confidence gained from his century the previous weekend.

Paterson was the most successful bowler for the KwaZulu-Natal side (2/57 in 20 overs).