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Ontong keeps Cobras alive

Cape Town - Justin Ontong has converted his excellent form into his first century of this season’s Sunfoil Series to single-handedly guide the Cape Cobras out of a perilous position against the Dolphins at Boland Park on Thursday.

Ontong came to the crease with the Cobras reeling on 24 for three after they had been inserted by the Dolphins, and was out for 150 in the last over of the day to leave the Cobras on 304 for nine at stumps.

It was a remarkable innings from the Cobras skipper, who had played a similarly crucial innings in the Cobras’ first innings against the bizhub Highveld Lions last week.

The Dolphins’ efforts in the field were led by Kyle Abbott, who claimed the key wicket of Stiaan van Zyl up front and then dismissed Yaseen Vallie (44) and Dane Vilas in the middle-order before finishing with figures of 4 for 60.

With Craig Alexander striking twice in two overs at the start of the Cobras innings and Keshav Maharaj dismissing Justin Kemp (32), Petrus Jeftha and then Ontong late in the day, Abbott had solid support but it was Ontong’s contribution that proved the most telling.

Although the Cobras will be pleased with their total thus far, they will go into the Dolphins innings with an inexperienced attack comprising of Dane Paterson, Travis Muller and debutant Jeftha after Beuran Hendricks was ruled out of the game with a side strain.

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