McLaren bats Dolphins into lead

Pietermaritzburg - Less than two sessions of play were possible on the third day of the Sunfoil Series clash between the Dolphins and Warriors at the City Oval on Saturday, but that was long enough for Ryan McLaren to notch up an unbeaten century and secure a first-innings lead for the hosts.

The Dolphins had looked set to fall short of the Warriors’ first innings of 353 when they crashed to 169/7 and then went to stumps on day two on 262/8.

However, McLaren moved his score from 38 not out overnight to 121 not out and enjoyed some assistance from the tail, allowing the Dolphins to reach 370 before Jon-Jon Smuts (2-16) finally brought their innings to a close.

Although the Warriors began their second innings just 17 runs in arrears, they found themselves in trouble when David White and Smuts were dismissed with just 22 runs on the board.

First-innings centurion, Michael Price, led the recovery with his unbeaten 42, and was assisted by Ryan Bailey (14 not out) as the visitors reached 75/2 before bad light brought a premature end to the day.

The Warriors will, therefore, begin the final day leading by 58 runs with eight wickets in hand.