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Warriors on top in PE

Port Elizabeth - Centuries by Michael Price and Colin Ackermann helped the Warriors take complete control on day one of their Sunfoil Series encounter against the Titans in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

David Miller also struck the three-figure mark for the Dolphins, while Justin Ontong and the in-form Stiaan van Zyl were both out in the 90s for the Cape Cobras as the first day across the country was largely dominated by the bat.

Price struck the biggest ton at St George's Park with a career-best 181 from 248 balls helping the Warriors reach stumps on 358 for three.

The right-handed opener was out seven overs before stumps having shared a mammoth 249-run second-wicket stand with Ackermann, who was still there at stumps on an unbeaten 110 from 223 deliveries.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the hosts lost just three wickets all day, although it appeared for large parts that it would just be David White to fall.

Price and White had put on 83 for the first wicket when the latter came down the wicket to Shaun von Berg, missed a straight one and was stumped by Mangaliso Mosehle for 37.

It was then the Price and Ackermann show with the pair batting together for 65.4 overs and the former raising his eighth first-class century in just 115 balls.

He was eventually out attempting a flick down the leg side off Rowan Richards and snapped up by Mosehle, with the same bowler then accounting for Ayabulela Gqamane (7) before the close.

In Potchefstroom, two late wickets by Proteas fast bowler Kyle Abbott gave the Dolphins complete control of their game against the Highveld Lions.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the Durban side amassed 341 all out, an innings centred around South Africa limited-overs specialist Miller as he notched up only a third career ton.

The left-hander made 109 from 168 balls, while there were also a more than useful 60 from Daryn Smit and 41 from Khaya Zondo.

Veteran all-rounder Zander de Bruyn was the pick of the Lions' bowlers bagging four for 55.

The hosts were then given an uncomfortable four overs to face before the close, with Abbott knocking over captain Stephen Cook for a duck and Proteas star Quinton de Kock (3) to leave his side on top.

Finally in Cape Town, Van Zyl and Ontong fell just short of three figures as the top-of-the-table Cobras closed on 275/6.

Van Zyl, the competition top scorer heading into round four, fell six short of his ton with a fine 94 from 164 balls, while captain Ontong made 93 from 147.

The defending champions won the toss and batted, but lost Andrew Puttick (24) early on, while fellow opener Omphile Ramela made 16.

The two top-scorers then shared a 101 stand together with Van Zyl, who made a 24th career half-century, and Yaseen Vallie (2) falling in quick succession either side of the 200.

Dane Vilas (21) and Ontong looked like they were going to keep complete control heading into day two during a 53-run stand, although both then succumbed to the new ball, with Quinton Friend claiming the prize wicket of the skipper, leaving the game in the balance.

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