Durban - Divan van Wyk and Imraan Khan both struck half centuries to ensure the Sunfoil Dolphins ended day two of their SuperSport Series match with honours even against the bizhub Highveld Lions at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Friday.

The two shared in excellent 161-run partnership for the first wicket as the hosts reached stumps on 198 for three in reply to the visitors’ 418 all out.

Van Wyk made 86 off 172 deliveries, while captain Khan recorded 62 off 132, before both fell to the medium pace of Chris Morris (2-39), who had a fine all-round day after making an aggressive 62 from 67 balls.

Kyle Abbott ended as the pick of the home bowlers with five for 76, his first five-wicket haul of the season.

The day began with allrounder Morris helping the men from Johannesburg post a strong total after his attacking innings.

He shared in a 53-run partnership with Dominic Hendricks (32) for the eighth wicket as 115 were added by the final four wickets on day two.

The Lions, who had centuries from Temba Bavuma (121) and captain Neil McKenzie (108) on day one, began the day on 303 for six, but lost Cliffe Deacon (10) quickly when he was trapped leg before wicket by a straighter ball from Proteas legspinner Imran Tahir (2-142).

Morris and Hendricks took the Lions past 350 in the 109th over and brought up their half-century stand from 67 deliveries.

But Abbott finally found an edge from Hendricks that was snapped up by Daryn Smit.

Tahir bowled Richard das Neves (14), before Morris helped his team past 400 followed by his own 50, his fifth career half-century, in 57 deliveries.

He was eventually last man out when he pulled Dane Paterson to Abbott at square leg with the Lions all out in 126.1 overs.

In reply, the Dolphins faced just two overs before lunch, with Van Wyk and Khan both unbeaten on four as they reached eight without loss.

The two continued an impressive day for the Dolphins after the break as they went past 50 in the 18th over.

They continued to bat sensibly through the second part of the session with the hosts on 82 without loss at tea.

After the break, Van Wyk dabbed spinner Eddie Leie down to third man for two runs that got him to a 19th career half-century, with the 100 coming up in the same 35th over.

Khan crashed Das Neves to the long-on fence for his 32nd first-class 50 with the Dolphins then getting to 150 in the 47th over and looking in total control.

But two overs later the skipper sent a thick edge to wicketkeeper Dominic Hendricks off Morris and Van Wyk then misjudged a full delivery from the same bowler to be bowled.

Still, the Dolphins looked destined to end the day in the ascendancy, but Deacon trapped Vaughn van Jaarsveld (13) leg before wicket shortly before the close, leaving Hashim Amla (12 not out) and David Miller (six not out) to survive until stumps, their side 220 runs behind.