Smit ends Dolphins first-class career on a high

Cape Town - Daryn Smit ended unbeaten on 150 in his final match for the Dolphins as their Sunfoil Series clash against the Cape Cobras was headed towards a draw after three days of play at Kingsmead in Durban on Saturday.

The 33-year-old, unbeaten on 95 overnight, completed his highest score in franchise cricket in 264 balls and hit 16 fours along the way as the hosts declared their first innings with a deficit of 52 on 329/8.

That was in reply to the visitors’ 381, with the Cobras then going to stumps in their second innings on 156/3 – a lead of 208.

With the Knights having wrapped up the title earlier on in the day, a draw now looked the most likely outcome from the game.

Day three, though, mainly belonged to veteran Smit as he played what was likely to be his farewell first-class innings for the KwaZulu-Natal franchise after 14 years of service. The all-rounder leaves for England at the end of the season.

Smit shared in two noteworthy stands with the tail on Saturday. He put on 65 for the seventh wicket with Robbie Frylinck (41) and added 45 with Attie Maposa (11) as the Dolphins extended their total by 92 runs in just over 30 overs.

The Cobras then replied patiently with Andrew Puttick top-scoring with 55 (141 balls, 5 fours, 1 six), while Justin Ontong chipped in with 32 and Stiaan van Zyl an unbeaten 40.

Senuran Muthusamy, who claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in the first innings, ended with 2/53.