Cricket
Solid start for the Dragons against the Titans─── MORGAN PIEK 09:24 Fri, 28 Mar 2025
The North West Dragons were in a strong position after day one of their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Titans at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday.
The Dragons batted first and closed the day on 252/4, with Matthew Kleinveldt falling just short of an 18th first-class century.
Although only 61 overs were played in Pretoria, the Dragons’ batters made the most of their time in the middle to get off to a commanding start.
Former Knights and Titans opener Kleinveldt scored 97 off 150 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six. He was caught behind by wicketkeeper Rivaldo Moonsamy off the bowling of Titans captain Neil Brand with the score on 221, after sharing a 100-run partnership with his skipper, Wihan Lubbe.
Matthew Kleinveldt. Photo: Morgan Piek
Lubbe, in turn, recorded his third half-century of the season, finishing the day unbeaten on 69 off 78 balls, including 13 fours. Earlier in the innings, Raynard van Tonder contributed 33 off 46 deliveries, while Lesiba Ngoepe added 27 off 33. Ruan de Swart was unbeaten with 10.
Seamer Matthew Boast was the Titans’ most successful bowler on day one, taking 2/56 in 15 overs, while Junior Dala was the most economical, returning figures of 1/27 in 13 overs. Play at SuperSport Park is scheduled to resume at 10:00 on Friday morning.
Meanwhile, at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, only 26 overs were bowled in the top-of-the-table clash between the Lions and Dolphins due to rain on the Highveld. The Dolphins batted first and, in their limited time at the crease, reached 83/2, with Tshepang Dithole unbeaten on 47 off 86 balls and Jason Smith not out on 22 off 33.
Ruan de Swart. Photo: Morgan Piek
At Newlands in Cape Town, relegation-threatened Western Province enjoyed a big day with the bat in their derby match against Boland.
Batting first in the shadows of Table Mountain, Province reached 373/3 after 91 overs. Proteas opener Tony de Zorzi struck 16 fours in his innings of 141 off 204 balls, while Eddie Moore made 75 off 112 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes.
David Bedingham was unbeaten on 64 at stumps, while captain and Proteas wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne was not out on 61. Veteran leg-spinner Shaun von Berg was Boland's best bowler, returning figures of 2/58 in 19 overs.
