Johannesburg - A strong showing from the top and lower orders negated a middle-order collapse as the Chevrolet Knights kept themselves on track to hold off the Sunfoil Dolphins at Chevrolet Park and secure second place in the Sunfoil Series standings.
With a century from Reeza Hendricks backed up by four half-centuries, the Knights were able to close day three on 436 for nine in their first innings.
Although they still trail the Dolphins by 128, only a horrific collapse by the Knights in the second innings would grant the Dolphins the victory they require to leapfrog their hosts and finish second.
The Knights had begun the third day on 105 without loss, and Hendricks and Gihahn Cloete were able to extend their opening partnership to 191 before Cloete was caught behind for 83.
That was the first of Matthew Pillans’ three wickets on the day - he also dismissed Hendricks for 103 in the same spell before claiming the final wicket of the day to finish with figures of 3 for 77.
With the other bowlers chiming in after the opening partnership had been broken, the Knights fell to 230 for six before the lower order dug them out of trouble.
Gerhardt Abrahams scored 51 and Johan van der Wath made 31, but the unexpected contributions came from Malusi Siboto and Corne Dry who came together on 329 for nine and constructed an unbroken stand of 107 for the final wicket.
Siboto will resume on 51 in the morning, while Dry is 68 not out from just 72 deliveries.
With a century from Reeza Hendricks backed up by four half-centuries, the Knights were able to close day three on 436 for nine in their first innings.
Although they still trail the Dolphins by 128, only a horrific collapse by the Knights in the second innings would grant the Dolphins the victory they require to leapfrog their hosts and finish second.
The Knights had begun the third day on 105 without loss, and Hendricks and Gihahn Cloete were able to extend their opening partnership to 191 before Cloete was caught behind for 83.
That was the first of Matthew Pillans’ three wickets on the day - he also dismissed Hendricks for 103 in the same spell before claiming the final wicket of the day to finish with figures of 3 for 77.
With the other bowlers chiming in after the opening partnership had been broken, the Knights fell to 230 for six before the lower order dug them out of trouble.
Gerhardt Abrahams scored 51 and Johan van der Wath made 31, but the unexpected contributions came from Malusi Siboto and Corne Dry who came together on 329 for nine and constructed an unbroken stand of 107 for the final wicket.
Siboto will resume on 51 in the morning, while Dry is 68 not out from just 72 deliveries.