Graeme Smith shows his class
A magnificent undefeated 187 from Graeme Smith put Western Province Boland firmly in the driving seat against the Lions at the Wanderers
Keith Lane
22-Jul-2005
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Scorecard
A magnificent undefeated 187 from Graeme Smith put Western Province Boland firmly in the driving seat against the Lions at the Wanderers as they took a 106-run lead with seven wickets still in hand. Smith completely overshadowed the fifties of Andrew Puttick and Gerhard Strydom as he went to his 14th first-class hundred. Never looking out of control Smith stroked 25 boundaries and was involved in partnerships of 128 with Puttick and 164 with Strydom. Almost using the Wanderers pitch for batting practice, Smith was severe on the bowlers with only David Terburgge able to contain him. The only disappointment in the Province innings was the loss of Jacques Kallis to Andrew Hall for 14.
Warriors 292 for 7 (Jacobs 102*, Boje 3-47) trail Eagles 320 by 28 runs
Scorecard
At Goodyear Park in Bloemfontein, Arno Jacobs, with his second hundred of the season, made sure that the Warriors stayed in touch with the Eagles as they closed on 292 for 7, 28 runs behind on the first innings. Jacobs came to the crease after the early wicket of Steven Pope and was still there at the end, having completed a chanceless hundred. He was made to work hard - he hit only eight boundaries - as wickets fell around him. Mark Bruyns (47) and Mark Boucher (44) showed promise but both got out at crucial periods of the game. The extreme heat did not help the Eagles with Roger Telemachus spending most of the day off the field and he wasa followed off by Johannes van der Wath midway through the afternoon. Nicky Boje, using the strong wind across the ground to his advantage, gave the Eagles some hope with the quick wickets of Boucher, Pieter Strydom (2) and Robin Petersen (25). Johan Botha, not taking advantage of a chance given on 13, was trapped leg before for 16 leaving it to Jacobs and an aggressive Tyron Henderson to nurse the Warriors closer to the Eagles total. Jacobs on 102 and Henderson on 34 will continue at the start of the third day.
Scorecard
At Goodyear Park in Bloemfontein, Arno Jacobs, with his second hundred of the season, made sure that the Warriors stayed in touch with the Eagles as they closed on 292 for 7, 28 runs behind on the first innings. Jacobs came to the crease after the early wicket of Steven Pope and was still there at the end, having completed a chanceless hundred. He was made to work hard - he hit only eight boundaries - as wickets fell around him. Mark Bruyns (47) and Mark Boucher (44) showed promise but both got out at crucial periods of the game. The extreme heat did not help the Eagles with Roger Telemachus spending most of the day off the field and he wasa followed off by Johannes van der Wath midway through the afternoon. Nicky Boje, using the strong wind across the ground to his advantage, gave the Eagles some hope with the quick wickets of Boucher, Pieter Strydom (2) and Robin Petersen (25). Johan Botha, not taking advantage of a chance given on 13, was trapped leg before for 16 leaving it to Jacobs and an aggressive Tyron Henderson to nurse the Warriors closer to the Eagles total. Jacobs on 102 and Henderson on 34 will continue at the start of the third day.
Dolphins 326 for 6 (Khan 150, Watson 65) lead Titans 290 (de Bruyn 80, Toyana 52, Tweedie 3-57) by 36 runs
Scorecard
A maiden hundred from Imraan Khan gave the Dolphins a 36-run lead on the first innings as the Titans bowlers toiled hard in the wind and the sun on a SuperSport Park pitch still offering a bit to both batsman and bowler. The Dolphins only needed 3.3 overs to finish off the Titans innings and restrict the log leaders to 290. An opening partnership of 168 between Doug Watson and Khan then put the Dolphins firmly in the driving seat. Watson, who struggled with his timing throughout, persevered before being caught behind off a poor shot for 65. Khan, who scored freely square of the wicket both on the leg and off sides, was caught at third man playing an extravagant cut shot for 150. As for the rest, only Hashim Amla (42) managed an innings of any significance, although he did struggle against the spin of Paul Harris. With little batting to come, the Titans will look to keep the deficit to under 50.
Scorecard
A maiden hundred from Imraan Khan gave the Dolphins a 36-run lead on the first innings as the Titans bowlers toiled hard in the wind and the sun on a SuperSport Park pitch still offering a bit to both batsman and bowler. The Dolphins only needed 3.3 overs to finish off the Titans innings and restrict the log leaders to 290. An opening partnership of 168 between Doug Watson and Khan then put the Dolphins firmly in the driving seat. Watson, who struggled with his timing throughout, persevered before being caught behind off a poor shot for 65. Khan, who scored freely square of the wicket both on the leg and off sides, was caught at third man playing an extravagant cut shot for 150. As for the rest, only Hashim Amla (42) managed an innings of any significance, although he did struggle against the spin of Paul Harris. With little batting to come, the Titans will look to keep the deficit to under 50.