After battling the weather in their first two matches, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins got their CSA 4-Day Domestic series match against the table-topping Itec Knights off to a solid start, albeit with the weather having the final say, finishing the opening day on 197/6, thanks to a gutsy half-century from Keegan Petersen.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the Dolphins found themselves under pressure as the visitors struck early when Bryce Parson misjudged a cut shot off Mbulelo Budaza to leave the hosts at 4/1 in the fourth over. Keegan Petersen joined opener, Thamsanqa Khumalo, at the crease and steadied the ship with an 87-run second-wicket partnership, which ended when Petersen feathered an Alfred Mothoa delivery to the keeper for a brisk 57. Three balls later, the Free Staters’ tails were up when skipper, Marques Ackerman, was caught behind without scoring – giving Mothoa his second wicket of the over. Khaya Zondo then joined Khumalo at the crease and took the Dolphins close to the 100 before Khumalo edged a sharply rising delivery from Gerald Coetzee into the slip cordon for a patient 36.
With the Southwesterly wind picking up, Ruan de Swart and Zondo kept the pressure on the Free State bowlers. Zondo, fresh from his double century in Cape Town a fortnight ago, was particularly positive and put the home side firmly back in the driving seat. They added 85 runs for the fifth wicket before Zondo misjudged a Mothoa delivery and fended the ball into the gulley fielder’s hands, two runs shy of his half-century. With the wind strengthening and light fading, Andile Phehlukwayo added eight before he left a ball from spinner, Patrick Botha, that found his off-stump. When the players left the field after 72 overs had been bowled, de Swart was on 41 and Eathan Bosch on one, taking the Dolphins to their overnight 197/6.
