VETERAN batsman Kevin Bennett struck a majestic century (111) to lead Border to a strong position going into the third and final day of their Cricket South Africa Three-Day Challenge clash against Free State at United Cricket Grounds yesterday.
Bennett added 69 to his overnight score (42 not out) after seeing the end of play with Somila Seyibokwe (23 from 52), with Border on 123/3.
Border ended with a first innings score of 338, having accumulated a healthy lead of 131 in reply to Free State’s first innings score of 207.
Bennett was eventually dismissed by Shadley van Wyk, who finished with figures of 3/87, caught by Lennert van Wyk 41 minutes after the lunch interval.
An unbeaten 46 (45 balls) from Lundi Mbane helped the hosts to declare at lunch.
Mbane shared a 56 (39) run partnership with number 11 batsman Lwando Lwana (21) who was caught by Romano Terblanche in the deep to hand Duanne Olivier his second scalp of the innings.
Bennett, who batted for just under five hours for his century, believes patience was key to his scintillating start to the season.
“We knew all we need is a lead of just over a 100 at least and then try to bowl them out as quick as possible and maybe even record an innings victory,” said Bennett, who was involved in a 80-run fifth wicket partnership from 141 balls with Darryl Brown (30).
“Darryl and myself had a good partnership, and Lundi (Mbane) and Lwando (Lwana) also. I’m happy with the knock, but it’s a long season ahead. Now I can dig deeper and get stuck in further for more valuable contributions to the team.
“It was tough, especially in the morning, but as soon as I got to 50 the pressure eased off,” added Bennett.
Seybokwe failed to add to his overnight score and, after Brown’s demise, captain Abongile Sodumo didn’t last long, edging one to first slip Lefty Mosena for 17 off Obus Pienaar.
Border vice-captain Shaun de Kock contributed with 29 before he was trapped plum by off-spinner Patrick Botha.
Border are all fired up
Bennett added 69 to his overnight score (42 not out) after seeing the end of play with Somila Seyibokwe (23 from 52), with Border on 123/3.
Border ended with a first innings score of 338, having accumulated a healthy lead of 131 in reply to Free State’s first innings score of 207.
Bennett was eventually dismissed by Shadley van Wyk, who finished with figures of 3/87, caught by Lennert van Wyk 41 minutes after the lunch interval.
An unbeaten 46 (45 balls) from Lundi Mbane helped the hosts to declare at lunch.
Mbane shared a 56 (39) run partnership with number 11 batsman Lwando Lwana (21) who was caught by Romano Terblanche in the deep to hand Duanne Olivier his second scalp of the innings.
Bennett, who batted for just under five hours for his century, believes patience was key to his scintillating start to the season.
“We knew all we need is a lead of just over a 100 at least and then try to bowl them out as quick as possible and maybe even record an innings victory,” said Bennett, who was involved in a 80-run fifth wicket partnership from 141 balls with Darryl Brown (30).
“Darryl and myself had a good partnership, and Lundi (Mbane) and Lwando (Lwana) also. I’m happy with the knock, but it’s a long season ahead. Now I can dig deeper and get stuck in further for more valuable contributions to the team.
“It was tough, especially in the morning, but as soon as I got to 50 the pressure eased off,” added Bennett.
Seybokwe failed to add to his overnight score and, after Brown’s demise, captain Abongile Sodumo didn’t last long, edging one to first slip Lefty Mosena for 17 off Obus Pienaar.
Border vice-captain Shaun de Kock contributed with 29 before he was trapped plum by off-spinner Patrick Botha.
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