DAY 1 WRAP: Esterhuizen saves Lions; Kitme, Pillay put WP on top

PIETERMARITZBURG: Malcolm Nofal's composed 89 and laid the foundation for ACDC Express Tuskers‘ total of 298 in their CSA 4-Day Series clash against Goldrush Boland at the City Oval on Tuesday.

The hosts recovered from a precarious 13-3 to post a competitive first-innings score, thanks to middle-order resistance led by Nofal, Cameron Shekleton (53), and Andile Mokgakane (78).

Nofal’s innings spanned 183 deliveries and featured eight boundaries. He was eventually dismissed in the 60th over, caught by Shaun von Berg off Jevano Baron’s bowling.

Mokgakane added stability with a 124-ball 78, while Shekleton contributed a patient half-century. Ntando Zuma chipped in with 33 before falling lbw to Keith Dudgeon.

Boland’s bowlers shared the wickets evenly. Dudgeon and Ayabulela Gqamane claimed three apiece, while Von Berg picked up two. Glenton Stuurman and Baron took one each.

Boland reached 14-0 in two overs before stumps, with Pieter Malan (4*) and Grant Roelofsen (5*) unbeaten at the crease. They trail by 284 runs heading into day two.

JOHANNESBURG: A composed century from Connor Esterhuizen steadied the DP World Lions after a top-order collapse left them reeling at 25-5 on day one of their CSA 4-Day Series encounter with North West Dragons at the Wanderers.

Choosing to field after winning the toss proved to be a good decision for North West, as the log leaders’ wickets tumbled before the rescue mission.

Esterhuizen absorbed pressure and anchored the innings with an unbeaten 100 off 195 deliveries, striking 15 fours and two sixes.

His partnership with Delano Potgieter proved decisive. The pair added 152 runs for the sixth wicket to lift the Lions to a total of 239.

Potgieter played fluently for his 77 off 130 balls, finding the boundary 14 times before falling to Ruan de Swardt.

The North West seamer led the attack with 3-18 in 15 overs, while Onke Nyaku matched his tally with 3-36.

Achille Cloete and Thabile Hlatuka claimed one wicket apiece.

North West’s reply began shakily. Beyers Swanepoel struck twice in his opening spell, removing Lesiba Ngoepe and Janneman Malan inside three overs.

The visitors closed on 23-2, trailing by 216 runs.

Meeka-eel Prince (12*) and captain Wihan Lubbe (2*) will resume the innings on day two.

CENTURION: A patient century from Matthew Breetzke gave the Dafabet Warriors a foothold in their CSA 4-Day Series clash against the Momentum Multiply Titans at SuperSport Park on Tuesday.

Breetzke compiled a composed 113 off 165 deliveries, striking 18 boundaries in a knock that anchored the Warriors’ innings.

He arrived at the crease with the score on 29-3 and remained until the final ball, dismissed for the tenth wicket as the visitors were bowled out for 244.

The Warriors’ top order struggled early, with Duan Jansen removing both openers and finishing with career-best figures of 5-39 in 23 overs.

Abdu Galiem supported well with 3-34, while Lesego Kokohlabana and Neil Brand claimed one wicket each.

Patrick Kruger (35) and Mathew Boast (28) added useful runs in the lower order, but the Titans’ bowlers maintained control throughout the innings.

In reply, the Titans made a cautious start, reaching eight without loss in five overs.

Lesego Senokwane (4*) and Jorich van Schalkwyk (4*) negotiated a disciplined opening spell from Duanne Olivier and Mathew Boast, who conceded just four runs apiece.

Day two will resume with the Titans trailing by 236 runs and all ten wickets intact.

CAPE TOWN: Valentine Kitme’s elegant century guided World Sports Betting Western Province to a commanding 324-6 on day one of their CSA 4-Day Series clash against Hollywoodbets Dolphins at Newlands.

Kitme’s 102 off 149 balls stood out on a hot day under a cloudless Cape Town sky. Laced with 16 fours and a six.

He arrived with the score on 67-2 and stitched together a 112-run stand with Daniel Smith, who contributed a fluent 53 off 83 deliveries.

Earlier, Jiveshan Pillay laid the foundation with a patient 54, while Edward Moore added 28 at the top.

Late contributions from Bongi Mfunelwa (30*) and Kyle Simmonds (25*) ensured Western Province closed the day with momentum and wickets in hand.

Nqobani Mokoena led the Dolphins’ bowling effort with 2-46, while Okuhle Cele, Eathan Bosch and Romashan Pillay claimed one wicket apiece.

Bosch was the most economical, conceding just 28 runs in 20 overs.

Western Province will resume on day two with Mfunelwa and Simmonds at the crease, looking to build on a strong platform while the Dolphins continue their hunt for wickets.