Warriors hold on against Tahir

Johannesburg - The Chevrolet Warriors hung on for a draw in their SuperSport Series match, scoring 303/9 in their follow on before bad light put an end to proceedings in the match against the Nashua Dolphins at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.

In all, eighty overs were lost because of bad light and showers, which ultimately cost the Dolphins, as they were in complete control throughout.

They scored 500/6 (declared) in their first innings and then dismissed the Warriors for 156 thanks to the combined effort of Quinton Friend (4/42) and Imran Tahir (4/27 in 17.4 overs).

Tahir was the star of the show, capturing 5/126 in the second innings in 39 overs.

The Dolphins dropped three chances, all off Ashwell Prince, who went on to score 123 (206 balls, 16x4). Arno Jacobs (52, 114, 9x4) and Bevan Bennett (56, 99 balls, 8x4) supported him well.

The Dolphins will rue those chances.

Friend finished with 1/50 off 21 overs.

The Pakistan-born Tahir put the Dolphins firmly in command after the tea break.

Tahir, who has been a stand-out performer for the Titans and for Hampshire, and who has the ability to bowl a googly, flipper, top-spinner and traditional leg-breaks, was at his irresistible best for the Dolphins after the break.

He trapped Justin Kreusch in front for 3 with his googly to reduce the visitors to 244/5.

Later, he removed the stubborn Prince, who looked firmly entrenched at the crease on 123 after 323 minutes of batting. But Tahir trapped him in front, and Prince, who slammed seventeen fours and faced 206 deliveries, had to go with the score on 269/7.

Prince perished when he attempted a reverse sweep off a top-spinner from Tahir.

Friend got in on the act when he had Craig Thyssen caught at second slip by Imraan Khan for 15.

Tahir also accounted for Andrew Birch, producing a flipper to send him back, trapped leg before wicket.

Lyall Meyer succumbed to Tahir’s bag of tricks when he edged one to the wicketkeeper, Daryn Smit, and was gone for 17 with the score on 298/9.

Earlier, Prince completed his 30th first-class century and featured in a 135-run partnership for the fourth wicket off 210 balls with Jacobs.

Bennett resurrected the innings with Prince by sharing in a 76-run stand for the third wicket.

Teams:

Nashua Dolphins: Imraan Khan (captain), Divan van Wyk, Ahmed Amla, Kevin Pietersen, Daryn Smit, Jon Kent, Brad Moses, Imran Tahir, Mthokozizi Shezi, Quinton Friend, Kyle Abbott.

Chevrolet Warriors: Ashwell Prince (captain), Bevan Bennett, Michael Smith, Jon-Jon Smuts, Craig Thyssen, Arno Jacobs, Justin Kreusch, Lyall Meyer, Makhaya Ntini, Andrew Birch, Basheer Walters.