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Cape Town - A 47th career century by Stephen Cook helped the Highveld Lions enjoy a solid opening day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Dolphins in Durban on Friday.
The veteran opener made 130 (257 balls, 17 fours) as the visitors manoeuvred their way to 295 for four by the time bad light forced play to close early after 86 overs at Kingsmead.
Cook was not the only batsman to make merry with half-centuries also coming through Reeza Hendricks and Kagiso Rapulana after the Johannesburg-based side won the toss and opted to bat first in the round seven encounter.
Their day one progress represented an excellent response after being thumped by the same opposition at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in the reverse fixture two weeks ago.
On the east coast, they were well led by Cook, who provided them with a strong foundation after an opening stand of 166 with Hendricks - the latter first to fall for 86 (128 balls, 14 fours).
Another big stand of 112 followed for the next wicket between Cook and Rapulana, before the former Proteas opener was undone by the new ball through Keith Dudgeon (1/49) with the score on 278.
An over later and Ethan Bosch, the best bowler on the day with two for 46, had No. 3 Rapulana caught behind by Grant Roelofsen for 54 (106 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) on the same score.
Senuran Muthusamy, who sent down 27 overs on day one for a return of one for 83, had his reward by getting rid of the fit-again Wiaan Mulder for a duck a few overs later - the away side losing three men in the space of 21 deliveries.
But Rassie van der Dussen (12) and Nicky van den Bergh (5) ensured there were no further jitters as the Lions reach stumps in a solid position.
