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Symes double blitzes Free State

Cricinfo's weekly round-up of South African domestic cricket - the week ending October 15, 2006

Cricinfo staff
16-Oct-2006

The Dolphins swept to a last-ball thriller over the Lions thanks to another hundred from Hashim Amla. It was Amla's second ton in as many weeks, after his maiden century against the Titans. However, in spite of Amla's efforts, 12 were needed from the final over and it was left to Duncan Brown to steady the nerves, crashing Friedel de Wet's penultimate ball for four through midwicket.
Andrew Puttick's unbeaten 104 for the Cape Cobras dented the Dolphins' excellent form in a seven-wicket win. While Puttick played the anchor role in his measured hundred, it allowed JP Duminy to free his arms - which he did with immense power in a classy 74-ball 62. And a brisk 115 from Morne van Wyk powered the Eagles to a seven-wicket win over the Warriors in spite of a fine 101 from Arno Jacobs.
Three wickets apiece from Garnett Kruger and Eugene Moleon helped the Lions dismiss the Titans for 180 chasing 233 for victory. Much like the Titans faltering display with the bat, the Lions' top-order stuttered initially before Neil McKenzie (53) and Vaughn van Jaarsveld, the 21-year-old lefthander, launched a counterattack.

A superb allround display from Gauteng blew away Free State in their SAA Provincial Challenge match at Bloemfontein thanks to a magnificent 193 from Jean Symes. Just 19 and playing in his fifth first-class match, Symes lost his opening partner William Motaung for a duck but showed composure beyond his years to drive Gauteng to an imposing 539 for 5. In reply, Free State were grateful to Petrus Koortzen's 122 but their batsmen were undone by the medium-pace of Brian Mathebula whose four wickets handed Gauteng a first-innings lead of 199. Free State's second outing was disastrous, with Shane Burger ripping through the top-order 5 for 36 to hand Gauteng a comprehensive innings victory.

No sooner had Jean Symes battered Free State's bowlers in the Provincial Challenge than his attention turned to the 45-over match. The following day, he blitzed a magnificent 170 from 132 balls, smashing 25 fours and powering Gauteng to 340 all out. Free State never had a hope, especially after losing Andre de Lange for a second-ball duck, as Brian Mathebula continued his fine form with a devastating spell of 6 for 41. Gauteng romped home with more than 20 overs remaining, dismissing their limp opponents for just 146.