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Cape Town - Spin duo Dane Piedt and Kyle Simmonds shared all 10 wickets as the Cape Cobras threw the Sunfoil Series title race wide open with a sensational 151-run win over leaders the Knights on day three of their clash in Paarl on Saturday.
Captain Piedt was the star with his off-breaks yielding 6/87, while debutant slow left-armer Simmonds claimed 4/56 with the table-toppers shot out for just 180 in pursuit of a difficult 332 victory target.
That meant the hosts now have three wins from their last four games since changing coaches and they are now up to second on the table on 85.74 points, less than seven behind the Knights (92.24), who could be overhauled once the other two games are concluded on Sunday.
With just one round to go, the first-class franchise season is set for a thrilling climax next weekend, one of the tightest in history.
The Cobras have played a big hand in the late-season drama following their rejuvenation under Ashwell Prince and their progress continued to follow an upward curve on day three at Boland Park.
Dane Vilas was responsible for providing them with the early initiative after he struck 62 (114 balls, 10 fours) to help his side add 71 for the final three wickets.
They were eventually dismissed for 330 in 97.1 overs, with Shadley van Schalkwyk (3/43) the pick of the bowlers. Duanne Olivier also ended with 3/68, extending his lead at the top of the wicket-taking charts to 46 wickets.
But the Knights’ batsmen were then blown away. Opener Luthando Mnyanda top-scored with 57 (101 balls, 8 fours), but there was little else in terms of support - the visitors sent tumbling in 57.1 overs on the stroke of tea.
