Price ups Warriors' Sunfoil chances

AN UNDEFEATED half-century from Michael Price guided the Chevrolet Warriors to 87 for one at stumps on day one of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Nashua Titans at SuperSport Park yesterday (03/01/2013). 

They are still trailing by 135 runs, but are handily placed.

The visitors started off their chase badly when Davy Jacobs was bowled by Ethy Mbhalati without scoring, but Price and Arno Jacobs ended the day with an undefeated 2nd wicket partnership of 86.

Price brought up his 19th half-century off the third last ball of the day. Arno Jacobs ended undefeated on 29, with five fours to his name.

In addition to Mbhalati and CJ de Villiers, Shaun Liebisch and former Proteas spinner Paul Harris went for more than four runs per over.

David Wiese could not find the right line or length and was punished, especially by Price, ending the day wicket-less and conceding 5.5 runs per over. The Titans had earlier been bowled out for 222 in their first innings, after resuming after tea on 198/7.

It had been a day of double-strikes for the Nashua Titans as on four occasions the home team lost two quick wickets. Roelof van der Merwe and De Villiers had resumed after tea with their 8th wicket partnership on 50, when Van der Merwe brought up his fifty off 64 balls in 83 minutes, which included five boundaries and a six.

Simon Harmer picked up his third wicket of the day when he dispatched Mbhalati for nine, with the total on 222.

The Nashua Titans had earlier won the toss and rued their decision to bat first, as they lost two quick wickets with Mangaliso Mosehle (0) and Pieter Malan (8) both back in the pavilion with the score on 13.

Heino Kuhn (25) and David Wiese (35) compiled 58 runs for the 5th wicket before Harmer's off-break bowling dismissed Kuhn, caught behind. Gurshwin Rabie then picked up the 3rd of his four wickets by bowling Wiese, to leave the home team on 138 for six.

Shaun Liebisch (2) followed shortly thereafter, trapped in front by Rabie who ended with 4/30. Harmer claimed 3/66 while Jonker claimed two wickets for just 14 runs.