Puttick, Prince make merry in run-fest

Cape Cobras drew with Warriors to move to the top of the table in the Sunfoil Series. However, the draw helped them gain only a marginal lead of 0.12 points over the second-placed Lions who were defeated by Knights on Saturday.

The Cape Cobras openers, Andrew Puttick and Omphile Ramela, vindicated the team's decision to bat first, putting up a first-wicket stand of 79. Ramela and No. 3 Stiaan van Zyl, who hit two successive hundreds earlier in the series, were dismissed quickly by Simon Harmer, but the wickets didn't affect Puttick who found support in captain Justin Ontong. The pair added 167 for the third wicket, a platform that was enhanced by Puttick and Yaseen Vallie once Onton was out for 87. Puttick and Vallie put together a partnership of 178 for the fourth wicket as the former brought up his first double-hundred for Cape Cobras in 370 balls. Puttick, however, missed setting a new personal best in first-class cricket by nine runs as he was bowled by JJ Smuts for 241, his 20th first-class ton. Cape Cobras declared for a mammoth 526 for 4 soon after Vallie reached his eighth first-class ton off 145 balls.

The Warriors reply was powered by Ashwell Prince's 198 and fifties from David White, Ryan Bailey and Davy Jacobs. Bailey and Prince were involved in a 140-run fourth-wicket stand, while Prince added another 107 with Jacobs before falling for 198. Fast bowler Dane Paterson picked up five of the eight Warriors wickets that fell, to finish with figures of 5 for 101. Beuran Hendricks picked up two wickets while Robin Peterson took one wicket.

Cape Cobras' second innings was jolted by Basheeru-Deen Walters, who picked up four wickets to leave them reeling at 42 for 4 before play was called off at tea.