Wickets tumble in Bloemfontein
by Ant Sims 20 December 2012, 18:25
The first day’s play at Chevrolet Park of the Sunfoil Series clash between the Chevrolet Knights and the Sunfoil Dolphins was filled with nuances and a bucket load of wickets as the visitors were skittled out for 224 and the hosts made it to 54-2 at the close of play.
Live Scoring – Knights v Dolphins
The start of play was delayed early in the morning due to heavy rains overnight. The Knights won the toss and elected to bowl first and play got under way an hour late in Bloemfontein.
Dillion du Preez struck early to remove Divan van Wyk, but Iraam Khan and Jonathan Vandiar managed to hold on to take the visitors safely to lunch. It all fell apart after the break, though, and it was only some late resistance from Kyle Abbott which spared the visitors' blushes with the tail-ender adding 45 off 57.
Johan van der Wath and Du Preez ripped through the top order, picking up six wickets between them and while captain Daryn Smit and Abbott combined for what briefly looked like some resistance, Van der Wath dismantled the paltry 35-run partnership by dismissing the skipper for 15 off 32.
Abbott and Calvin Savage combined for a late eighth-wicket stand of 65 runs before the visitors crumbled to 221 all out with Malusi Siboto mopping up the tail, picking up four wickets in total. Savage was impressive and chipped in with 55 off 64 before the visitors were all out for 221.
The Knights made an equally shaky start in their chase with Michael Erlank being dismissed for a first-ball duck, trapped leg-before by Abbott. Rilee Rossouw soon followed, caught by Van Jaarsveld off Mthokozisi Shezi and the Knights looked in a pickle at 15-2. Rudi Second and Dean Elgar then steadied the ship and guided the hosts to 54-2 at the close of play, still 167 runs behind.
Neither side has managed to win a game yet with bad weather often intervening and there is more bad news as thunderstorms are forecast for both Friday and Saturday.
Teams:
Chevrolet Knights: Dean Elgar (capt), Michael Erlank, Rilee Rossouw, Rudi Second (wkt), Ryan Bailey, Obus Pienaar, Werner Coetsee, Dillon du Preez, Johan van der Wath, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Malusi Siboto
Sunfoil Dolphins: Divan van Wyk, Imraan Khan, Jonathan Vandiar, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Khaya Zondo, Cody Chetty, Daryn Smit (capt/wkt) Kyle Abbott, Calvin Savage, Mthokozisi Shezi, Craig Alexander
