The Dolphins were in a commanding position at stumps on day one of their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Knights in Bloemfontein. After winning the toss at the Mangaung Oval, the Dolphins elected to bat first on a pitch that turned out to be as flat as the N1 highway, making batting an absolute pleasure. By the close of play, they had reached 374/4 in 98 overs.

Slade van Staden led the charge for the visitors from Durban, scoring a brilliant 111 off 161 balls, including 13 fours. Wicketkeeper Tshepang Dithole also shone with the bat, reaching his fourth career century with a well-crafted 104 off 186 balls, including 13 boundaries.

Tshepang Dithole. Photo: Dolphins

Former South African U19 captain Bryce Parsons was unbeaten on 78 when stumps were called. His patient innings spanned 136 balls, during which he hit 4 fours and a six.

Parsons was well supported by Romashan Pillay, who remained not out on 41 off 61 balls, hitting seven boundaries.

‘Boland enjoyed an even better day with the bat

In their desperation to take wickets, the Knights used no fewer than eight bowlers. Veteran seamer Malusi Siboto was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2/30 in 12 overs. Matthew Pollard contributed 1/45 in 12 overs, while Aubrey Swanepoel took 1/57 in 13 overs.

Play at the Mangaung Oval is set to resume at 10:00 on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, Boland enjoyed an even better day with the bat in their 4-Day match against the North West Dragons. By stumps, the visitors from Paarl were an imposing 427/2 in 93 overs.

‘Roelofsen scored career-best’

Former Dolphins batter Grant Roelofsen scored a career-best 227 not out off 282 balls, an innings that included 26 fours and 8 sixes. Gavin Kaplan also excelled, scoring 166 before being caught and bowled by Ruan de Swardt.

De Swardt was the lone wicket-taker for the Dragons, finishing with figures of 2/58 in 19 overs.

Play at the JB Marks Oval will resume at 10:00 on Friday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh