South Africa’s domestic cricket season kicked off on Monday, with the CSA Four-Day Series taking centre stage.
Reigning champions, the Lions began their pursuit for a three-peat against the Dolphins in Durban, while a Proteas-laden Titans side travelled to Cape Town to take on the Cobras.
The other fixture in the first round of action pitted the Knights against the Warriors in Mangaung.
Here is a round-up of what went down on the first day of Round One of the CSA Four-Day Cup.
Knights vs Warriors at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
Knights (won toss and chose to bat): 405-5 at stumps
The decision to bat first proved to be an inspired one by the Knights, who got rolling spectacularly through Jacques Snyman, who scored the season’s first three-figure score before lunch.
The swashbuckling century came in just 71 balls as he and opening partner Matthew Kleinveldt put on 164 for the first wicket.
Snyman lost his wicket soon after bringing up his fourth First-Class ton, scoring 109 in 78 balls, while Kleinveldt made 73 before his departure.
Three more half-tons were brought up on the day, with the promising Rynhardt van Tonder getting to 85 before falling to Marco Jansen, while skipper Pite van Biljon was dismissed for a rapid 53 off just 63 balls.
The other player to lift his bat is former international Farhaan Berhadien, who is unbeaten on 67, batting with wicketkeeper Wandile Makwetu, who has just two to his name.
Cobras vs Titans at Newlands, Cape Town
Cobras (won toss and chose to bat): 264-9 declared
Titans: 4-1 at stumps
Newly-appointed Cobras captain Zubayr Hamza made a brave declaration on the opening day against the Titans, saving the men from Tshwane the trouble of trying to break the last-wicket stand.
This is after Proteas opener, Pieter Malan top-scored with 51, with the likes of fellow internationals, Hamza, Kyle Verreyne and George Linde also making notable starts 32, 39 and 43, respectively.
The chief destroyers in the Titans camp were seamer Lizaad Williams, who ended the innings with figures of 4-51, as well as Tabraiz Shamsi, whose three wickets cost 80 runs. The other two wickets were courtesy of fast bowler, Okuhle Cele, who went for 45 runs in his 20 overs.
By Stumps, the Cobras had managed to inflict some damage on the Titans’ chase, removing the dangerous Aiden Markram, who trampled on his stumps after being forced on the backfoot by Linde with just two on the board.
Dolphins vs Lions at Kingsmead, Durban
Lions (won toss and chose to bat): 153-3 at stumps
It was a shortened day of play at Kingsmead, where defending champions, the Lions finished on 153-3.
Skipper Temba Bavuma and wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton were at the crease at stumps, and will resume on 30 and 15, respectively.
The highlight of the day’s play was an 86-ball 76 from Proteas batsman Reeza Hendricks.
Debutant Ottniel Baartman, along with Kerwin Mungroo and Andile Phehlukwayo all took a wicket apiece for the Dolphins.
