Watson hands the initiative to Eagles

Dolphins 215 for 3 (Amla 67*, Mall 66) trail Eagles 334 (Bosman 74, Deacon 56, Klusener 3-101, Symcox 3-58) by 119 runs
Scorecard

On an attritional second day at Goodyear Park in Bloemfontein, the Dolphins made heavy weather of their reply to the Eagles' first-innings 334, reaching 215 for 3 at the close. Having taken 45 balls to take the final two wickets of the Eagles innings, the Dolphins struggled to make inroads, but at least with wickets in hand are still well placed.

Imraan Khan did not look comfortable in scoring 10 before he played on to give Cliff Deacon the opening wicket. Doug Watson (30) then became the tenth South African player to be adjudged handled the ball as he gloved the ball away from the wickets after it looped up off the pad.

A patient 92-run partnership followed as Ashraf Mall and Hashim Amla cautiously occupied the crease for 37 overs before Dillon du Preez had Mall caught for 66. Amla's return to form could not have come at a better time for the Dolphins as he nursed his way to a half-century, while Dale Benkenstein looked set for a long innings.

At the close of play on the second day they had put on 55 for the fourth wicket with Amla on 67 and Benkenstein 27.