Batsmen and the weather rule

SuperSport Series

A final day washout at Pietermartizburg prevented an exciting final day between the Dolphins and the Cobras. Despite conceding a first innings lead of 125, the Cobras had fought back by the end of day three, reducing the Dolphins to 83 for 6. Charl Willoughby was the chief destroyer, taking 5 for 16 off 12 impressive overs. The Cobras' hopes were revived by an eighth-wicket stand of 111 between Vernon Philander (63) and Rory Kleinveldt (62) after the top order had fallen to 131 for 7. The Dolphins' 392 was built around Hashim Amla's 117, which included 13 boundaries, while Darren Smit fell seven short of his ton. However, it was the weather that had the final say.

The pitch was the only winner at Bloemfontein as batsmen from the Eagles and the Titans filled their boots. Martin van Jaarsveld set the tone with his 159-ball 102, which was joined by Gulam Bodi's unbeaten 160 as the Titans passed 500. In reply Dean Elgar, who captained South Africa at the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka last year, marched to a career-best 226, spanning 512 balls and more than 11 hours in the middle. He added 124 with Boeta Dippenaar (54) and 123 with Morne van Wyk (46) as the Eagles fell just 39 short of matching the Titans. There was little time remaining in the match and the second innings merely went through the motions.

The meeting between the Warriors and the Lions at East London was disrupted enough by rain and bad light that time ran out to force a result, although the bowlers had enjoyed enough success to keep the match interesting. Tyron Henderson grabbed 4 for 46 as the Warriors reached 296 with half-centuries for Colin Ingram (64) and Justin Kreush (57). Neil McKenzie led the response with 94, but Mario Olivier's 5 for 67 secured a 36-run lead. This was extended 234 on the final day as Arno Jacobs made an unbeaten 85 but a result was never on the cards.