Bavuma, McKenzie tons put Lions on top
by Thahir Asmal 02 February 2012, 17:07
Temba Bavuma and Neil McKenzie struck centuries to put the bizhub Highveld Lions in control after the first day of their SuperSport Series match against the Sunfoil Dolphins at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday.
Rookie Bavuma made a free-flowing 121 from 160 balls, his third century of the season, while veteran McKenzie struck a patient 108 from 214 with the visitors ending the day on 303 for six.
The two put on 228 together for the fourth wicket, which was the highest for the season by any team surpassing the 144 for the Chevrolet Warriors between Colin Ingram and Arno Jacobs against the Chevrolet Knights.
That partnership helped them recover from the loss of three early wickets, two of which came from seamer Mthokozisi Shezi (2-51), and Kyle Abbott picked up the three key wickets at the end of the day for figures of four for 61.
The day began with the men from Johannesburg, who came into the game fresh of a draw against the Knights in the last game, winning the toss and choosing to bat first under slightly overcast conditions in the east coast.
But they were dealt an early blow when Shezi, who took 5-26 in the last game, struck in the second over of the day with a probing delivery that was slashed at by Stephen Cook (0), who succeeded only in edging to David Miller at gully.
Gulam Bodi (20), in the team as part of two changes along with bowler Richard das Neves, put on 41 with McKenzie for the second wicket, but then sent a fine edge to the returning Hashim Amla at first slip.
Jonathan Vandiar and his skipper took their side past 50 in the 23rd over, but the former threw away his wicket for 25 when a good length ball from Kyle Abbott this time was needlessly chased after as the batsman found Miller, again at gully.
Bavuma joined McKenzie with the Lions going into lunch precariously placed on 73 for three.
But there were no signs of frailty after lunch as the Lions went past
100 in 42nd over, followed by Bavuma and McKenzie extending their partnership to 50 from 90 balls.
They continued to frustrate the hosts with Bavuma, who had already scored 429 runs prior to the game in this season’s competition, going to his 50 from just 71 balls.
The Lions went to 150 followed by the 100 stand on the stroke of tea, with the two men then consolidating until the break, their team on 165 for three.
Enter the final session and the Dolphins looked short of ideas for most parts of it as captain Imraan Khan bowled some of his part-time spin and even threw the ball to Divan van Wyk and Hashim Amla, players who hardly ever bowl.
The 200 came up in the 70th over followed by the 150 partnership in
229 balls with Bavuma, who has a top score of 147 this season, reaching his century in 142 balls.
The same stroke also brought up the 200 partnership with McKenzie then moving to his 44th first-class century from 198 balls when he pulled Abbott away to the square leg fence for four.
But the bowler soon had his revenge when the new ball was taken and McKenzie was caught on the crease leg before wicket.
Bavuma then played a tired looking stroke and was caught behind by Daryn Smit off Abbott, who removed Zander de Bruyn (six) in the same way in the final over before stumps.
TEAMS
Sunfoil Dolphins - Imraan Khan (capt) , Divan Van Wyk, Hashim Amla, Daryn Smit (wk), Vaughn van Jaarsveld, David Miller, Cody Chetty, Kyle Abbott, Imran Tahir, Mthokozisi Shezi, Dane Paterson.
bizhub Highveld Lions – Gulam Bodi, Stephen Cook, Jonathan Vandiar, Neil McKenzie (capt) , Temba Bavuma, Zander de Bruyn, Dominic Hendricks (wk), Cliffe Deacon, Chris Morris, Richard das Neves, Eddie Leie.