It was a day better suited to ducks and kite-flying as only 41 of the scheduled 99 overs of play were possible on day two of the 4-Day Franchise cricket fixture between the Warriors and the Highveld Lions at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.
A howling westerly carrying what can only be described as aqueous bullets peppered the players as they scampered off the field of play for the shelter of the dressingroom at 2.10pm.
The wind died down slightly, the showers came and went and the covers were pulled on and off but in the end no further play was possible.
Play will resume at 9.30am on Wednesday with the Lions on 105 for two, still 240 behind the Warriors’ first-innings effort of 345.
At the crease for the visitors was the evergreen Stephen Cook on 48 and Proteas star Temba Bavuma, who had progressed to 24, rarely looking in trouble.
The pair had repaired an early stutter from their team which saw them slip to 52 for two and when stumps were drawn had moved their stand to 53 runs.
Cook stood firm while receiving a working over from the Warriors bowlers, with one delivery from Sisanda Magala crashing into the former Proteas opener’s rib-cage.
But after a couple of squats and some vigorous twirls of his left arm he was back at it again.
Seamers Anrich Nortje and Lutho Sipamla were particularly impressive for the Warriors and asked questions of the Lions’ batsmen with some disciplined bowling.
Both were rewarded for their efforts, with Nortje picking up the wicket of Omphile Ramela (19), well-caught by Magala in the gully.
Sipamla removed Dominic Hendricks (4) with a superb delivery that kissed the edge of the lefthander’s bat through to wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin.
Earlier in the day, the Warriors resumed their first innings on 306 for seven with SA U19 batsman Sinethemba Qeshile on 48 and Andrew Birch on 16.
Their partnership of 33 grew to 61, thanks to some lusty blows from Birch before he was dismissed by Beuran Hendricks for 35.
Qeshile did move on to his second half-century in as many games for the Warriors but was eventually out caught behind by Nicky van den Bergh off seamer Migael Pretorius for 58.
His innings lasted 111 balls and included 11 fours.
Pretorius and Hendricks finished with three wickets while spinner Aaron Phangiso was the innings’ leading bowler, claiming four for 61.