DAY 2: Kaplan and Erlank make their mark

Michael Erlank (200) recorded his second-highest first-class score as he led the Moothee Ram Tuskers to 399 in their CSA 4-Day Series encounter against the Eastvaal Renault Tuskers at Pietermaritzburg Oval on Friday. The Dragons, who trail by 209 runs with nine wickets in hand, had reached 190/1 at the close of play.

Erlank stood firm as he added a further 105 runs to his overnight score of 95 and was unbeaten on 200 when the visitors bowled out the hosts shortly before lunch. The Tuskers’ captain enjoyed a fruitful 128-run middle-order stand with Andile Mokgakane (67).

The Dragons added Dian Forrester to their roster this season and the allrounder made an immediate impact, taking three wickets for 77 runs in 22 overs in his maiden outing for them. Jade de Klerk, another recent acquisition, finished the innings with three wickets for 58 runs in 15.5 overs.

Lesiba Ngoepe (88*) was the spearhead in the Dragons’ reply with a measured half-century that took the visitors to stumps without much damage. The opener was in Raynard van Tonder’s company (54*), with whom he shared an unbroken 105-run second-wicket stand, when the umpires called time on the day’s proceedings.

Ziyaad Abrahams was the sole wicket-taker for the Tuskers. He took a single wicket for 38 runs in 10 overs.

KAPLAN CRUSHES TITANS WITH CAREER-BEST 238 AS BOLAND PILE ON 578 FOR SEVEN

Gavin Kaplan (238) filled his boots and registered his highest first-class score as he lifted Goldrush Boland to 616/9d in their match against the Momentum Multiply Titans at Boland Park on Friday. The Titans had reached 80/3 at the close of play and trail by 536 runs with seven wickets in hand.

Kaplan picked up from where he left off on day one, adding 71 runs to his overnight total as he worked his way to 238 from 396 deliveries. The No 3 batter shared a productive 162-run third-wicket stand with Aviwe Mgijima (80).

Kaplan’s stay was ended by Tshepo Ndwandwa, who trapped him lbw, shortly before tea. The Titans spinner, who toiled hard, delivering 43.2 overs, was rewarded for his tirelessness with a five-wicket haul. He finished the innings with six wickets for 178 runs.

Glenton Stuurman ensured that the Titans’ reply was not emphatic by taking a trio of wickets in the final session. The seasoned seamer accounted for the visitors’ top-order on his way to three wickets for 23 runs in seven overs. He saw off Keegan Petersen (23), Niel Brand (4), and Lesego Senokwane(0).

Lhuan-dre Pretorius (37* and Sibonelo Makhanya (14*) saw the Titans to stumps.

SONI STRIKES ON DEBUT AS WARRIORS RALLY AGAINST WP

Ntando Soni made a fruitful first-class debut with three wickets as he led the Dafabet Warriors’ fight back in their contest against WSB Western Province. The Warriors bowled Western Province out for 182.

Western Province’s score was in reply to the Warriors’ first innings effort of 281. The hosts, who had Mohammad Manack (37*) and Matthew Breetzke (36*) at the crease at the close of play, were on 114/2. The score gave them a 213-run lead over Western Province.

The SA under-19 pacer took 3/18 in eight overs as helped keep the visitors from overtaking the Warriors’ 281-run first innings score and take a 99-run win into the third innings. Matthew Boast and Thomas Kaber, who are appearing for the Warriors for the first time, took a brace of wickets each.

Valentine Kitime (54) was the standout batter for Western Province with a half-century. Kyle Simmonds (40) provided a slight lower-order resistance, sadly, his effort couldn’t lift the visitors over the 200-run mark.