SWD Hold Cobras to a Draw

The Nashua Cape Cobras were put to the task and tested, by drawing their first preseason warm up match against the South Western Districts in Oudtshoorn on the final day of their two day match.

After winning the toss and batting first, the Nashua Cape Cobras declared their first innings with their score on 272/7 on day 1. Vernon Philander contributed an unbeaten 103 not out off 183 balls hitting 15 fours. JP Duminy too made an unprecedented contribution with 51, whilst Brendan Adams made 40 which included 1 six and 5 fours. The SWD bowlers were made hard to work with Terence Davis-Taylor getting 2 wickets for 39 runs in 12 overs and Nigel Mercuur took 2 wickets for 36 runs in his 14th over before the declaration came.

The Cobras bowlers came to the field hungry with an appetite of ripping through the SWD batting lineup, but too had to bend their backs for reward. Vernon Philander once again stood out as undoubtedly the finest perfor! mer, taking 3 wickets for only 5 runs in his 12 overs bowled, which saw 8 maidens. Rory Kleinveldt bowled an economical feat of 14 overs taking 1 for 31, whilst Brendan Adams, Sybrand Engelbrecht and Abdul-Aziz Temoor too were rewarded with a wicket a piece. The local team saw Gary Moos contribute 33 and Rudi Hillerman made 44 in the home side banking 146 for 7 as their declaration came.

With a lead of 126 runs, the Cobras added 161 runs to their first innings total, as the end of days play signaled a draw. Ryan Canning added 47 runs in his second innings, whilst Brendan Adams being promoted up the order made 13, both fell victim to Baartman who finished with 2 for 51 off 13 overs. Leeroy Walters was the not out batsman on 20 and Richard Levi with 65 runs off 89 balls also not out, could have posed a danger in banking a partnership which could have proven difficult for the home side to achieve.

The Nashua Cape Cobras will play their second warm up gam! e against the Warriors in Oudtshoorn on 19 September 2009.