Kimberley - The Knights launched a lower-order fightback for the second match in a row to throw the pressure right back on the Highveld Lions on the third day of their SuperSport Series match at the Diamond Oval on Saturday.
Full scorecard
In the previous match the tail had rallied around centurion Ryan McLaren to lay the foundation for their victory over the Titans. This time the century came from Obus Pienaar (119 off 160 balls with 19 fours and a six). It was his fourth first-class century and included a partnership of 155 for the sixth wicket in 38 overs with McLaren (55 off 109 balls, 11 fours).
When both were dismissed the Lions must have thought they were still in a strong position with an overall lead of 190 runs. But Dillon du Preez had other ideas as he made a remarkable 83 off 66 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes at No 9 to dominate an eighth-wicket partnership of 101 with Michael Erlank.
It allowed the Knights the luxury of declaring 77 runs in arrears and they then put themselves right back in the match by dismissing three Lions batsmen for only 31 runs.
The visitors managed to stabilise their position by the close, reaching 121/4 for an overall lead of 198. ‘Mr. Reliable’ Neil McKenzie scored his 74th half-century (54 not out off 128 balls, 10 fours) to go with his 41 centuries.
It all adds up to a very interesting final day’s play.
Full scorecard
In the previous match the tail had rallied around centurion Ryan McLaren to lay the foundation for their victory over the Titans. This time the century came from Obus Pienaar (119 off 160 balls with 19 fours and a six). It was his fourth first-class century and included a partnership of 155 for the sixth wicket in 38 overs with McLaren (55 off 109 balls, 11 fours).
When both were dismissed the Lions must have thought they were still in a strong position with an overall lead of 190 runs. But Dillon du Preez had other ideas as he made a remarkable 83 off 66 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes at No 9 to dominate an eighth-wicket partnership of 101 with Michael Erlank.
It allowed the Knights the luxury of declaring 77 runs in arrears and they then put themselves right back in the match by dismissing three Lions batsmen for only 31 runs.
The visitors managed to stabilise their position by the close, reaching 121/4 for an overall lead of 198. ‘Mr. Reliable’ Neil McKenzie scored his 74th half-century (54 not out off 128 balls, 10 fours) to go with his 41 centuries.
It all adds up to a very interesting final day’s play.