JOHANNESBURG: It was a weekend of draws in the Division 1 4Day Series as the DP World Lions consolidated their place at the summit and the chasing pack intensified their battle for second spot in what was the penultimate round of regular-season action.
The Johannesburg-based side saw more than half of their match against the Holloywoodbets Dolphins lost on account of the weather at DP World Wanderers where only 147.2 overs were possible.
That was sufficient time for two players to hit centuries, though as Tshepang Dithole (157 off 225 balls, 19 fours, 3 sixes) and Joshua Richards (130* off 198 balls, 18 fours, 3 sixes) emerged as the stand-out batters from the game.
The Dolphins had batted first after being put in to bat by the Lions and went on to score 357. Left-hander Dithole led the way, with Romashan Pillay hitting 60. Codi Yusuf was the pick of the bowlers as he ended with four for 54.
Then in reply, the home side got to 250 for two thanks to Richards and Zubayr Hamza (62*), the pair putting on an unbroken 161 for the third wicket.
It was a result that took the Lions to 110.14 points and left the Dolphins on 91.5 in third.
That allowed the Momentum Multiply Titans (94.1) to regain second spot after their clash with Renault North West Dragons finished in a draw at SuperSport Park in Centurion where the weather also stole time.
Dewald Brevis continued his recent rich run of form by scoring his fourth career century when the home side replied to the visitors’ 345 with 463 for nine declared.
Batting first, the Potchefstroom visitors were driven by half centuries from Matthew Kleinveldt (99), Wihan Lubbe (84) and Bamanye Xenxe (51).
Youngster Brevis then hit a free-flowing 148 off 155 balls (17 fours, 5 sixes), and together with Keegan Petersen (112 off 178 balls, 15 fours, 1 six), ensured the Titans took a more than 100-run first innings lead.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius (58) and Neil Brand (82*) was also amongst the runs, before the Dragons replied with 189 for one in their second innings during which Lesiba Ngoepe (84*) and Raynard van Tonder (59*) both struck half centuries.
Finally in Cape Town, the local derby between World Sports Betting Western Province and Goldrush Boland came closest to producing a result before ending in a draw.
Tony De Zorzi (141 off 204 balls, 16 fours) and Kyle Verreynne (131* off 215 balls, 8 fours) both struck first-innings centuries when the match began with the home side batting first and amassing 592 for eight declared. Edward Moore (75), David Bedingham (68) and George Linde (91) were also amongst the runs at Newlands.
Shaun von Berg, meanwhile, took six for 126 to move two wickets clear at the top of the wicket-taking charts for the 2024/25 season.
The visitors replied with 318 thanks to Pieter Malan (102 off 246 balls, 10 fours) and Clyde Reeves-Fortuin (129 off 214 balls, 18 fours) centuries, before the home side batted just 19 overs in their second innings and scored 106 for two declared in pursuit of a result.
However, the side from Paarl stood their ground and replied with 197 for three thanks to Grant Roelofsen (92) and Aviwe Mgijima (63*).
Province (88.84) and Boland (85.96) stayed fourth and fifth on the table, with both teams together with the Titans and Dolphins in with a chance of finishing in the top two, which will secure a place in the April final.
One round of fixtures remains next weekend.
Source: cricket.co.za
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