DAY 3 WRAP: Dragons go top of the log, tense finales await in other clashes

JOHANNESBURG: The North West Dragons moved to the top of the CSA Four-Day Series log after beating the DP World Lions by eight wickets with a day to spare at the Wanderers on Thursday.

With their backs already against the wall, the Lions resumed day three on 39-4, having been bowled out for 239 in the first innings.

Connor Esterhuizen, the hero of the first innings with his unbeaten century, was still at the crease and offered a glimmer of hope.

But Ruan de Swardt had other ideas. He removed Esterhuizen early, and the rest of the Lions followed in quick succession.

Richard Seletswane’s stubborn 38 off 112 balls was the only resistance, and one of just two batters to survive more than 50 deliveries in the second innings.

Skittled for 163, the Lions left the Dragons with a modest target.

Onke Nyaku led the charge with 4-74, while De Swardt and Shimane Mothoa chipped in with two wickets each.

The chase was swift. After the openers were dismissed, Janneman Malan added 41 off 46 balls and Wihan Lubbe smashed 67 off the same number to seal a convincing win for the visitors.

PIETERMARITZBURG: A tense final day awaits at the Pietermaritzburg Oval, where the CSA Four-Day Series clash between Goldrush Boland and the ACDC Express Tuskers hangs in the balance. 

The hosts will resume on Friday just 89 runs ahead, with four second-innings wickets in hand and captain Michael Erlank still at the crease.

Earlier in the day, Boland extended their first-innings total to 359.

Gavin Kaplan resumed on 126 not out and added another 26 runs before falling as the ninth wicket for a marathon 152 off 278 balls.

His innings, which included nine boundaries, was a masterclass in patience and application.

The Tuskers struck early, removing Aviwe Mgijima and Clyde Fortuin in quick succession.

But Jhedli van Briesies mirrored Kaplan’s grit, compiling 82 off 172 balls in a crucial 151-run fifth-wicket stand.

Once Van Briesies departed, the tail offered little resistance, with no other batter passing 21.

Ziyaad Abrahams led the attack with 3-35, while Erlank and Gihahn Viljoen picked up two wickets each.

In reply, the Tuskers started well but faltered. Malcolm Nofal looked fluent in his 49 off 69 balls before falling to a sharp return catch by Shaun von Berg.

Kagiso Rapulana added 38, but the middle order crumbled under sustained pressure.

Von Berg was the standout, claiming 3-35 in 18 overs. Ayabulela Gqamane took two wickets and Jevano Baron removed Rapulana.

At stumps, Erlank was unbeaten on 31 from 122 balls, joined by Ntando Zuma on 5.

With just 150 on the board for six wickets, the Tuskers will need a gritty effort to set a defendable target.

Boland will be eyeing an early finish.

CENTURION: A nail-biting final day awaits at SuperSport Park, where the Momentum Multiply Titans need 104 more runs with four wickets in hand to chase down the Dafabet Warriors and secure their first win of the CSA Four-Day Series season.

The Warriors resumed their second innings with a slender lead and posted 251 all out in 78 overs.

Sinethemba Qeshile scored 60 off 111 balls and Matthew de Villiers added 54 off 118.

Patrick Kruger contributed a brisk 45 not out, while Mathew Boast chipped in with 18.

From 59-4, the middle order dug deep to stretch the advantage.

Neil Brand led the Titans’ bowling with 3-54. Lesego Kokohlabana and Bongumusa Makhanya claimed two wickets each, while Janco Smit set the tone with 2-15 in 11 overs.

In reply, the Titans stumbled to 164-6 in 46 overs. Rivaldo Moonsamy stood tall with a counter-attacking 63 off 72 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. His dismissal triggered a collapse.

Duanne Olivier was relentless, taking 3-34 to add to his first-innings haul. Aphiwe Mnyanda took 2-42 and Boast added one more.

Keagan Lion-Cachet (8 not out) and Keegan Petersen (6 not out) will resume on day four.

With both teams desperate for points, the final day promises a tense finish.

CAPE TOWN: The CSA Four-Day Series clash between World Sports Betting Western Province and the Hollywoodbets Dolphins is heading for a dramatic conclusion at Newlands. 

The visitors need just 88 more runs, while the hosts are hunting four wickets.

Western Province were bowled out for 148 in their second innings, surrendering their first-innings lead of 70 runs.

Bryce Parsons was the destroyer-in-chief, claiming a career-best 6-41 in 14 overs.

Okuhle Cele and Tristan Luus took two wickets each, while Eathan Bosch bowled with control, conceding just 14 runs in 11 overs.

Joshua van Heerden top-scored with 50 off 59 balls, but once he fell with the score on 79, the innings unraveled.

From 79-1, Province collapsed to 148 all out. Only Bongi Mfunelwa (19) and Mthiwekhaya Nabe (11 not out) offered late resistance.

Set 219 to win, the Dolphins reached 131-6 by stumps. Van Heerden and Jiveshan Pillay (31) laid a solid foundation, but wickets fell in clusters.

Parsons capped his day with a sharp catch and a six-for, while Luus picked up two late wickets.

With four wickets in hand and 88 runs still required, the Dolphins will need composure.

Western Province will be banking on early breakthroughs to seal a hard-fought win.