Rain ruins Cobras-Dolphins contest

Only two days of play were possible in the solitary Sunfoil Series fixture of the week. The Dolphins and Cobras had to see out a wet draw in Pietermaritzburg, with both Saturday and Sunday washed out.

Dolphins earned 0.82 more than Cobras, after batting for 90 overs more than them. It had looked as though the Durban-based side would spend far less time at the crease. After choosing to bat, Dolphins were 25 for 4 in the 11th over as two national fast bowlers ripped through them. New call-up Rory Kleinveldt took the first three wickets, one lbw, one caught behind and one bowled to start with figures of 3 for 8, and Vernon Philander claimed the fourth.

Divan van Wyk survived the early assault and combined with Cody Chetty for a 102-run stand for the fifth wicket. Chetty was bowled by Johann Louw after making 59, but van Wyk went on to star in another big partnership, of 83 runs with his captain, Daryn Smit.

Both looked set to score centuries but van Wyk was bowled by Philander on 95 and three overs later Smit was stumped on 94. Dolphins tailed wagged a touch and they were bowled out for a respectable 310. Kleinveldt was the pick of bowlers with his 5 for 54.

In reply, Cobras were fairly untroubled by Dolphins. Alistair Gray and Andrew Puttick eased their way to 66 before bad light stopped play on day two and the teams were not able to take the field again in the match.

Cobras remain at the top of the table. They have 43.78 points from their four matches so far and are 13.86 ahead of Warriors, whose match against Knights is also in danger of being rained out. Dolphins have also played four matches, three of which have been weather affected. They are third with 24 points. Neither team will play anymore first-class cricket until the schedule resumes in December.