Two longstanding batting records were shattered at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom during the innings of the Highveld Lions against the Nashua Dolphins in the MTN Domestic competition.
The Lions innings total of 344 was three runs more than the previous record total of 341 set by Transvaal in the 1994/95 season also in Potchefstroom but on the North West University’s Fanie du Toitcricket oval in a Benson and Hedges match against Western Transvaal.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld’s century from just 56 balls was one ball faster than Richard Schnell’s 100 from 57 balls for Transvaal against Griquas in the same season.
The Dolphins won the toss and elected to bowl. All the KZN bowlwers came in for some stick with only Sanath Jayasuriya picking up a couple (2/52). The Lions innings was held together by a splendid 146 from Sean Symes (21×4). He and Van Jaarsveld build a what proved to be the match winning partnership of 146 runs from 94 balls.
The Dolphins innings had a bad start with the first three wickets going down for only 38 runs. John Kent and Hasim Amla restored the innings somewhat with a 72 run partnership before Kent was run out. The required rate crept up to more than ten and the return of Cliffie Daecon, who took two of the first three wickets signalled the end for the visitors.
Deacon removed Grat Rowley (46) and Mhlongo in one over to bring Yusuf Abdullah to the crease. Deacon took his 5th wicket when he had Johan louw caught for 30 for the Lions to win by 116 runs.
