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Smith fifty guides Cobras

Johannesburg - Graeme Smith raced to an unbeaten half-century to steer the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras to 76 without loss in their second innings at lunch on the third day of their SuperSport Series match against the bizhub Highveld Lions at the NF Oppenheimer Ground in Randjesfontein on Saturday.

Smith wasted no time in bringing up his 39th first-class fifty off 62 balls and he reached the landmark in some style as he thrashed a delivery from medium-pacer Zander de Bruyn through the covers for the 10th boundary of his innings.

Smith eventually took lunch not out on 57 off 72 deliveries.

Smith’s fellow opening bat Andrew Puttick was far more circumspect in his approach as he ambled to 18 runs off 66 balls at the break with the Cobras still 143 runs in arrears of the Lions’ first innings score.

Earlier, the Lions, who began the day on 409 for eight, added just seven runs before being dismissed for 416, an overall first innings lead of 219.

Robbie Frylinck (32) was the first man to depart, caught at deep backward point off a delivery from seamer Vernon Philander before the selfsame bowler ended the innings when he forced Paul Harris (13) to retire hurt after Philander sent down a bouncer which struck Harris a painful blow on his elbow.

Philander ended the innings with figures of three for 88 off 27 overs.

Teams

bizhub Highveld Lions – Alviro Petersen (capt) , Stephen Cook, Jonathan Vandiar, Neil McKenzie, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Zander de Bruyn, Thami Tsolekile (wk), Cliffe Deacon, Robbie Frylinck, Paul Harris, Craig Alexander.

Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras - Graeme Smith (capt) , Andrew Puttick, Stiaan van Zyl, JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Ryan Canning (wk), Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Johann Louw , Charl Langeveldt, Monde Zondeki.

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