Share

Smuts smothers Dolphins with career-best six-for

accreditation
Jon-Jon Smuts (Gallo Images)
Jon-Jon Smuts (Gallo Images)

Durban - A career-best six-for by Jon-Jon Smuts ensured the Warriors remained on top of the Dolphins after the third day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter at Kingsmead on Saturday.  

The Proteas all-rounder claimed six for 50 and then another one for 85 as the hosts were first bowled out for 189 and then reduced to 208 for three in their follow-on innings - still 116 runs shy of making the visitors bat again. 

This despite Grant Roelofsen's seventh career ton and second at franchise level with the opener unbeaten on 101 (217 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes). 

However, Smuts' best return, which beat his six for 80 for Eastern Province against KwaZulu-Natal at Port Elizabeth-NMMU in 2008/09 left his side in the driving seat against the competition's bottom-placed side. 

The Eastern Cape franchise had begun day three in control, with the home side starting out in a deep morass on 157 for six. 

Slow left-armer Jade de Klerk (3/66) claimed the initial breakthrough by removing Prenelan Subrayen (4), before fellow spinner and captain Smuts bamboozled the tail - including the last man that carried any hope for the Dolphins, South Africa all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy for 36. 

Roelofsen and Sarel Erwee, who made 77 off 182 balls (10 fours), then provided the home side with cause to believe after they amassed a fine 164-run opening wicket stand. 

But De Klerk removed the latter and Cody Chetty (1) either side of Smuts nabbing the vital wicket of Marques Ackerman (9), leaving the locals with plenty to do heading into day four.

- Cricket SA

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE