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But new ball produces good results for Warriors
An attacking thirdwicket partnership of 160 by Daryn Smit, who scored a fine century, and his partner Vaughn van Jaarsveld helped the Hollywoodbets Dolphins to a solid 281 for five wickets in their first innings on the opening day of the four-day Sunfoil Series against the Warriors at Buffalo Park, East London yesterday.
The Dolphins had no hesitation in batting first in what appeared to be excellent conditions for batting.
However, there was a slight hiccup for the visitors from the first ball when Warriors fast bowler Andrew Birch produced a peach of a delivery.
It swung late and experienced left-handed opening batsman, former international Imraan Khan, nicked the ball and was caught at first slip by Colin Ackermann.
The other Dolphins opener, Sarel Erwee, and Daryn Smit consolidated together and by the lunch interval had added 83 runs off 28 overs.
Erwee, who was dropped early in his innings, reached his half century moments before the break.
He faced 77 balls and hit 10 fours in his 50, while Smit was more subdued, being 32 not out at the break.
About half an hour after the break, Warriors all-rounder Jerry Nqolo, in his first over, forced Erwee at 59 to offer a catch to mid-wicket where Ackermann made no mistake, pouching his second catch. Er wee’s innings was made off 100 balls with 11 boundaries.
At 106 for two wickets, the scene was nicely set for the new batsman, the chunky, hard-hitting Van Jaarsveld, who wasted little time in making his presence felt.
Van Jaarsveld immediately blasted Nqolo out of the attack, hitting him for a six and he then continued to pierce the field with an exciting array of strokes.
Van Jaarsveld outscored Smit appreciably and reached a brutal half century off 83 balls with five fours and a six.
Smit, meanwhile, advanced to his seventh first-class century off 249 balls with 12 boundaries.
The Warriors bowling attack toiled manfully, and it was only the introduction of the new ball which produced some good results for the home franchise.
With his first ball, Basheer Walters had Smit caught behind by Fortuin for 121 (289 balls, 13x4).
Two balls later, Walters struck again, and this time it was left-hander Mthokozisi Shezi who had to go, caught by Ackermann – his third catch of the innings – without troubling the scorers.