Ontong, Kemp rescue Cobras

Durban - A fifth-wicket partnership between Justin Ontong and Cobras' captain Justin Kemp enabled the Cobras to reach 194 for five at close of play in their SuperSport match against the Dolphins, which is being played at Kingsmead, Durban on Thursday.

When the umpires called time, Kemp was on 49 off 121 balls, which included seven fours, and Ryan Canning was on two.

The Cobras were in trouble from the second over of the day, with Quinton Friend sending Alistair Gray back to the hut with only eight runs on the scoreboard.

A flurry of three wickets for 47 runs saw Stiaan van Zyl, Owais Shah and Andrew Puttick all sent packing, and the Cobras were in trouble on 55 for three.

Jon Kent claimed the wickets of Van Zyl and Puttick, and Mthokozisi weighed in with the wicket of Shah.

The recovery was instigated by Ontong and Kemp, who set about the Dolphins attack with gusto, but disaster struck when Ontong was caught behind by Daryn Smit off Friend for 78.

The middle order batsman was at the crease for just under three hours, and struck 12 fours in his 121 ball innings.

Friend and Kent finished the day with two wickets apiece.

Scorecard

Toss: Dolphins

Cape Cobras first innings

A Puttick Smit b Kent 19

S van Zyl c Conway b Kent 12

O Shah c Miller b Shezi 11

J Ontong c Smit b Friend 78

J Kemp not out 49

R Canning not out 2

Extras: 19 (4b, 10nb, 5w) 

Total: (for 5 wickets, 57 overs) 194

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-33, 3-55, 4-55, 5-192

Bowling: Friend 15-1-60-2 (2nb, 5w), Abbott 13-6-32-0 (4nb), Kent 14-4-40-2, Shezi 12-2-43-1 (4nb), Khan 3-0-15-0