Pietermaritzburg - The Cape Cobras sent out a strong message of intent as they began their defence of the Sunfoil Series trophy by dominating the Dolphins on day one at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg.
Despite losing the toss and being asked to field, the Cobras bowled the Dolphins out for just 88 runs before cruising to a 40-run lead by the time bad light forced play to conclude prematurely.
While Rory Kleinveldt finished with the best figures of the Cobras bowlers, taking 3 for 15 in 11 overs, it was Beuran Hendricks who set the tone early in the day as the left-armer dismissed both Dolphins openers cheaply.
With Dane Piedt (3 for 41) running through the middle order in quick time, the Dolphins collapsed to 58 for six, with Vaughn van Jaarsveld left to watch as wickets tumbled at the other end.
Kleinveldt then made light work of the lower order to ensure there would be no recovering for the Dolphins, who lasted just 47.4 overs before Van Jaarsveld was the last man out for 39.
The Cobras reply was led by a brisk innings from Stiaan van Zyl, who appeared to still be in one-day mode as he hit an unbeaten 63 from just 75 balls.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj picked up the wickets of Omphile Ramela and Justin Ontong and Prenalan Subrayen accounted for Andrew Puttick, but the Cobras still reached stumps in an excellent position at 128 for three.
Despite losing the toss and being asked to field, the Cobras bowled the Dolphins out for just 88 runs before cruising to a 40-run lead by the time bad light forced play to conclude prematurely.
While Rory Kleinveldt finished with the best figures of the Cobras bowlers, taking 3 for 15 in 11 overs, it was Beuran Hendricks who set the tone early in the day as the left-armer dismissed both Dolphins openers cheaply.
With Dane Piedt (3 for 41) running through the middle order in quick time, the Dolphins collapsed to 58 for six, with Vaughn van Jaarsveld left to watch as wickets tumbled at the other end.
Kleinveldt then made light work of the lower order to ensure there would be no recovering for the Dolphins, who lasted just 47.4 overs before Van Jaarsveld was the last man out for 39.
The Cobras reply was led by a brisk innings from Stiaan van Zyl, who appeared to still be in one-day mode as he hit an unbeaten 63 from just 75 balls.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj picked up the wickets of Omphile Ramela and Justin Ontong and Prenalan Subrayen accounted for Andrew Puttick, but the Cobras still reached stumps in an excellent position at 128 for three.