Cape Cobras: 146 all out (Duminy 35, Van Schalkwyk 5/45)
Knights: 346/5 (Sesele 66, Rosier 51, Van Biljon 53, Bodibe 53*, Piedt 2/73, Moreki 2/45)
Those who came to Newlands on Friday expecting to watch the Proteas trio of Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Stiaan van Zyl get some more time in the middle will have to return on Saturday.
The Cape Cobras bowlers toiled long and hard in severe heat as the Knights batsmen ensured the good work done by their bowling unit on the first day was not in vain. Although no visiting batsman would go on to register a three-figure score, there was telling contributions right down the order.
With the pitch having dried out, there was no moisture for the Cobras seam bowlers to exploit. And with the only wicket-taker for the hosts on day one, Dane Paterson, off to Pietermaritzburg to join up with the SA A side, the Cobras attack lost its most penetrative weapon.
This allowed Knights opener Letlotlo Sesele and Michael Erlank to strengthen the foundation they laid on Thursday evening with a further 61 runs to stretch their partnership to 117 for the second wicket.
After bowling marathon spells in the recent fourth Test against India in Delhi, Cobras and Proteas off-spinner Dane Piedt set out his stall for another long day at the office.
Piedt, though, was eventually rewarded for his hard work when he trapped Sesele lbw for a well-constructed 66 (139 balls, 9x4).
His breakthrough set up the most productive period for the Cobras bowlers as they made further inroads before lunch when Tshepo Moreki had Erlank also adjudged leg-before for 45 (149 balls, 6x4) to reduce the Knights to 122/3.
However, the window of opportunity was quickly closed as Diego Rosier and Pite van Biljon knuckled down during the afternoon session.
The pair adopted a patient attitude, with neither employing shots with much risk attached to it. Although the quality of cricket was not always entertaining, it was productive, with both Rosier and Van Biljon grinding down the Cobras attack.
The pair added 108 runs for the fourth wicket as the visitors moved into the lead, and with the sole focus of stretching the advantage as far as possible.
Van Biljon attempted to move the game forward through his six boundaries, but ultimately lost his wicket when he tried to force the pace against Piedt, who claimed his second wicket when wicket-keeper Keegan Petersen held on to an edge off a forceful attempted back-foot drive.
Rosier’s defence was also eventually breached when Moreki, armed with the second new ball, managed to pick up his second lbw decision of the day. However, it again did not open the floodgates when new batsmen Tumelo Bodibe (53 not out) and Werner Coetsee (45*) simply continued to keep the Cobras bowlers at bay with another unbroken 85-run stand for the sixth wicket.
The only positive the Cobras can take from a testing day in the field was the return of Beuran Hendricks to franchise cricket.
The left-arm paceman has recovered from a long-term injury and replaced Paterson. Although he did not take a wicket on Friday, the 25-year-old managed to get through 18 overs of solid work.
@IndyCapeSport