Mntboy

That wasn't a great over for sure but you gotta applaud YJB for being able to take advantage of it. Two overs 18 runs left.

And then Shamsi gets Stokes. Morgan out to join Bairstow. It's going to be an interesting, if not entertaining final five overs!

We could be in for a tight finish! Bairstow and Stokes looking very set!

I think I'll let Firdose Moonda talk us through this week's matches. https://es.pn/3q6b53Z Personally I think the Dolphins should've declared sooner and given themselves more time to bowl the Cobras out. Good wins for both the Lions and the Warriors. Pleased for both teams!

Round 3 Day 3 Round up and match predictions Dolphins v Cobras The Cobras managed to cobble together 312 all out mostly thanks to regular small contributions from most of the team. The only batsman to go past fifty was de Zorzi who was dismissed for 58. Hamza made 46 with Bosch next highest with 38. Muthusamy took 4/58 (18) and Ntanzi took 3/51 (16). The Dolphins were 55/0 at stumps with Erwee on 29 and Muthusamy on 21. Hoping the Cobras can sneak another draw but I think a Dolphins win is more realistic. Knights v Lions A collapse of note engineered by Potgieter {4/41 (13)} and Mulder {3/48 (13)} saw the Knights end up with 235 all out. Vandiar (68), Van Tonder (47) and Gous (32) the only batsmen to make significant contributions. The Lions were a 166/0 at stumps with Richards (82) and Dominic Hendricks (80) unbeaten and requiring a further 168 to win the match. This match could still go either way but for now I think the Lions are strong favourites to win. Titans v Warriors The Warriors got themselves to 392 all out mostly on the back of Qeshile's 97 while Jansen (24) gave good support. Cele with 4/88 in 19.2 overs was the main threat with support from Williams {2/98 (17.3)} and Ntini {2/75 (18)}. The Titans were 265/7 at stumps with Markram (121) and Moonsamy (43) the only scores of note. Jansen {3/48 (15)} and Ngoepe {3/25 (8)} the pick of the bowlers. I reckon the Titans will try and go for a draw seeing as they seem to be a bowler short. Warriors however will fancy their chances to get a win under their belt and would boost their confidence a great deal.

Round 3 Day 2 Round up Dolphins v Cobras The Dolphins ended their first innings on 389/8d with Zondo scoring a 105 and de Swardt contributing 44. Corbin Bosch took 2/64 in 24.3 overs. At stumps the Cobras are 71/1 with Pieter Malan 33 and Hamza 22 still at the crease. Full Scorecard of Dolphins vs Cape Cobras Cross Pool 2020 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com Knights v Lions The Knights ended their first innings on 300 with Migael Pretorius scoring 79. Magala took 6/60 in 16.1 overs. The Lions could only muster 202 in reply with Rupalana top scoring with 44. Pretorius took 4/40 (15), Budaza 2/56 (12) and Coetzee 2/36 (14). Stumps saw the Knights on a 111/1 with Vandiar 53 and Van Tonder 39 the not out batsmen. Knights once again in a good position to push for a big win. Full Scorecard of Knights vs Lions Pool B 2020 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com Titans v Warriors The Titans got to 320 all out this morning thanks to small contributions from their bowlers. The Warriors have put in an excellent batting display so far and were 319/6 at stumps. Breetzke 53, Vallie 80, Ngoepe 52 and Qeshile 67 not out all making contributions to the total. This game could turn into an exciting match! Full Scorecard of Titans vs Warriors Pool A 2020 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com Will post links to scoreboards later on for those who might be interested in seeing them. Edit: Posted links to the scorecards. Also I forgot to mention that Thando Ntini is making his debut for the Titans and made 19 with the bat and has taken a wicket. Will be keeping an eye on his performances.

Proteas opener Aiden Markram shines as Titans battle (sacricketmag.com) A round up from yesterday's day 1 of round three. Markram's hundred the big, and a very timely return to form, news of the day. Also the Cobras appear to be in for long long season if they aren't able to compete in the four day stuff.

The latest Squidge vid is on the AB's historic loss to the Argies! Watch it before he takes it down or Sanzaar copyright strikes him! And yes it's his usual high standard analysis!!!!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj1xyrDV3LU

Results from Round 2 Lions v Cobras - Match Drawn The first semi proficient batting display from the Cobras sees them get a hard earned draw against the Lions. Tony De Zorzi (67), Kyle Verreyne (72) and George Linde (69*) along with a cameo from Nandre Burger (38*) saw them get to 302/7. Beuran Hendricks was once again the pick of the Lions bolwers with 3/56 in 25 overs. I'm sure the Lions are also a lot happier with their better all round improvement given how poorly they played in the opening round. Men of the Match: Dominic Hendricks 130 and Beuran Hendricks with 10 wickets in the match. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235233/lions-vs-cape-cobras-cross-pool-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Knights v Dolphins - Knights win by 227 runs The Knights bowlers doing the job and bowling the Dolphins out for 243 and gaining their second big win. The only Dolphins batsmen to show any resistance today was Sarel Erwee who top scored with 81 and Ruan De Swardt who was 36 not out when the final wicket fell. Migael Pretorius with 4/52 in 19.1 overs was the destroyer in chief for the Knights. Men of the Match: Raynard Van Tonder's 166 in the first dig help set things up but it's the bowling unit who gets the credit for the win as Pretorius, Mothoa and Budaza are showing encouraging signs as a unit sharing 14 of the wickets between them. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235232/knights-vs-dolphins-pool-b-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Warriors v Titans - Titans won by 8 wickets The Warriors succumbed to 124 all out with Sinethemba Qeshile being the top scorer with 28. Tabraiz Shamsi taking 8/32 in 16.2 overs. It left the Titans needing 63 to win which they chased down easily enough despite losing the wickets of Elgar (0) and De Bruyn (13). Markram 19 and Klaasen 20 were the batsmen to see the Titans home. Man of the Match: Tabraiz Shamsi's 8 for is a shot across Maharaj's bow ito the Test spinners position and easily the most impressive individual performance in this particular match as well as this round. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235231/warriors-vs-titans-pool-a-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21

Round 2 Day 3 round up and match result predictions: Lions v Titans Malusi Siboto's 43* helped the Lions eventually post 324 all out. Nandre Burger was the pick of the Cobras bowlers with 4/101 in 31.3 overs. The Cobras are 54/3, a 155 runs behind, at stumps with Tony De Zorzi (16*) and Kyle Verreyne (23*) at the crease. What'll be of interest is whether the Cobra batsmen can hold on for a draw given how weather has affected this match thus far but I still think the Lions should regard themselves as favourites for the win. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235233/lions-vs-cape-cobras-cross-pool-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Knights v Dolphins The Knights declared their second innings on a 194/4 setting the Dolphins a target of 457. Pite Van Biljon top scored with 93. The Dolphins were a 138/2 at stumps. Sarel Erwee (58*) and Marques Ackerman (32*) will continue the chase tomorrow morning although one would favour the Knights to gain their second big win of the season. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235232/knights-vs-dolphins-pool-b-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Warriors v Titans The Titans ended their first innings on 293, with Heinrich Klaasen getting 68, Sibonelo Makhanya 58 and Tabraiz Shamsi 36. Glenton Stuurman 3/88 in 27 and Mthiwekhaya Nabe 3/54 in 18.4 being the pick of the bowlers for the home side. They were 97/6 at stumps with a lead of 35. Tabraiz Shamsi 5/19 in 12 was the pick of the bowlers for the Titans who looks set to get their second win. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235231/warriors-vs-titans-pool-a-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21

A round up of Day 2 of Round 2 Lions v Cobras The Lions hold a 107 run lead over the Cobras and were 222/7 at the close of play on a weather affected day. The wickets have been shared amongst the Cobra bowlers with no one really standing out as such. The biggest question is whether Dominic Hendricks (87*) will get to his century before running out of partners. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235233/lions-vs-cape-cobras-cross-pool-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Knights v Dolphins The Knights finished their first innings with 424 with Raynard Van Tonder getting a 166 and Migael Pretorius got 62. The Dolphin bowlers shared the wickets but Ruan De Swardt was the pick 2/39 in 18 overs. The Dolphins then preceded to put in an inept performance with the bat to stammer to a 162 all out with Ruan De Swardt top scoring with 46. Alfred Mothoa 4/35 in 13 and Migael Pretorius 3/50 in 13 the main wicket takers for the Knights. The Knights are currently 21/0 with a lead of 283 and will look to put themselves in a position to push for a big win at home! https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235232/knights-vs-dolphins-pool-b-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Warriors v Titans The Warriors completed their first innings on 231 all out with Ghihan Cloete getting 66 and JJ Smuts getting 41 as the only notable scores. Lizaad Williams was the pick of the Titans bowlers taking 4/64 in 23. The Titans are 151/3 in reply with Dean Elgar (66) continuing his good form and Heinrich Klaasen (50*) putting them in a decent position to push for a good lead. Glenton Stuurman 2/42 in 16 being the pick of the bowlers for the Warriors. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235231/warriors-vs-titans-pool-a-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 An interesting Day 3 lies ahead in all of these matches especially the two that have been affected by weather of the course of the first 2 days!

Round 2 of the Four Day Franchise Series got underway today and it's been a fairly decent day for most of the home teams. Going to run through the games from North to South. Lions v Cobras The Lions started this match so much better than their last one especially with the overhaul of the bowling unit and the return of Wiaan Mulder to the playing XI. Beuran Hendricks ran through the Cobras to take 7/29 in 13 to see the Cobras scratch together 115 all out. Kyle Verreyne with 51 the only Cobra batsman to put up any resistance. The Lions are 143/3 at stumps, Dominic Hendricks 54* and Temba Bavuma 19* will look to add to their lead in the morning. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235233/lions-vs-cape-cobras-cross-pool-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Knights v Dolphins The Knights are 323/7 at stumps with young Raynard Van Tonder 119* the only batsman to get fifty plus score but was aided by the all of the top order making decent starts before falling. The Dolphins bowlers have toiled manfully on what seems a typical flat spongy Bloemfontein pitch. The wickets being shared among the unit. Ottniel Baartman (2/69, 18), Ruan De Swardt (1/32, 14) and Keshav Maharaj (1/93, 36) were the pick of the bowlers. Looking forward to how this match will develop given the nature of the pitch and the batting talent in both sides. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235232/knights-vs-dolphins-pool-b-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Warriors v Titans The Warriors are 137/4 in a rain affected first day, largely thanks to Ghihan Cloete's 57 not out. He and Sinethemba Qeshile (20*) will continue on tomorrow morning. Lizaad Williams 2/50 in 15 the pick of the Titans bowlers. The Titans are also the only team that seems to fielding an unchanged side from last week's round. Of interest to me will be how Markram reacts to the snub of not being picked for the England tour and a good performance from him will go a long way to ensure that he doesn't experience a similar one for the Sri Lankan one later in the season. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235231/warriors-vs-titans-pool-a-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21

Results and thoughts: Knights won by 179 runs Mbulelo Budaza took the last three wickets (4/47 in 13.5) to seal what was an emphatic win set up by their big first innings and their hard working bowlers. Matthew Breetzke was the Warriors best player by a long shot. Jacques Snyman contributed massively towards the Knights success and I'm sure AD would like for that to continue throughout the season. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235229/knights-vs-warriors-cross-pool-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Titans won by 2 wickets Theunis De Bruin (127) and Junior Dala (41*) steered the Titans home on a wicket that saw Shamsi take 7 wickets in the match and Linde take 9, clearly a difficult pitch that aided the spinners. The Titans will be pleased with how they clawed back into the match given the match state after each sides first innings. Elgar's form is good news from a Protea perspective and may allow Mpitsang the freedom to name him the Test Captain for this season. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235230/cape-cobras-vs-titans-pool-a-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Dolphins won by 9 wickets The Lions got rolled by Maharaj (6/101 in 38.4) and Prenelan Subrayen (3/63 in 28) for 210. It left them needing 10 to win which they got quickly with Roelofsen losing his wicket to Phangiso. The Lions batting letting them down in this match as the opportunity for a draw was there if they had batted sensibly. Erwee and Petersen's big partnership a deciding factor in this match as well. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235228/dolphins-vs-lions-pool-b-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 An interesting first round of this season. Looking forward to next week!

The round up of Day 3's action: Knights v Warriors From 26/0 to 93/8d. The only Knights batsmen to make score worth mentioning is Jacques Snyman with 33. Nabe nabbed 3/21 in 5, with Jansen and Smuts with 2 a piece. That left the Warriors with a target of 366 to get. They are currently 173/7 with Matthew Breetzke with 71 not out. Migael Pretorius the stand out bowler with 3/25 in 14, the rest of the bowlers used shared the wickets amongst themselves. This should conclude tomorrow as a win for the Knights. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235229/knights-vs-warriors-cross-pool-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Cobras v Titans The Cobras ended up with 201 all out with Kyle Verreyne top scoring with 85. Shamsi took 4/79 in 22.3 with Dala and Williams both taking 2 a piece, The Titans are chasing 316 and is currently 195/3 with Theunis De Bruin 63 not out in the chase. Markram got 48 and Elgar followed up his first innings century with a 58. From a Protea stand point it's good to see they shared an opening stand of 105 before Markram was dismissed. George Linde took 2/66 in 21 with Ziyaad Abrahams taking the other wicket to fall. This match could still go either way. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235230/cape-cobras-vs-titans-pool-a-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Dolphins v Lions The Dolphins posted a pretty mammoth 458/3d in their first innings with both Erwee (199) and Petersen (173) contributing heavily to that score. Marques Ackerman was unbeaten on 52 when he declared the innings closed. Dwaine Pretorius and Aaron Phangiso the bowlers took a wicket a piece. The Lions are currently 75/3 and a 125 behind. Maharaj with 3/37 in 17. This is likely headed towards a draw. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235228/dolphins-vs-lions-pool-b-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21

A round up of the happenings of day two: Knights V Warriors The Warriors are on the way to a very big loss as the Knights declared their first innings on 430/6 and then promptly bowled out the Warriors for a dismal 158. The Knights are 26 without loss overnight. Shaun Von Berg took 4/54 in 20, Jacques Snyman chipped in with 3/29 in 16, Migael Pretorius got 2/13 in 13 with Alfred Mothoa getting 1/23 in 10. Matthew Breetzke with 43 and Rudi Second 35 not out the only batsmen to resist the Knights bowling unit. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235229/knights-vs-warriors-cross-pool-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Cobras v Titans The Titans find themselves on the backfoot against the Cobras despite Dean Elgar's cut above the rest century (101) being bowled out for a meagre 150. Only Junior Dala (18) and Theunis De Bruin (10) could get into double figures. George Linde took 5/65 in 18, Tshepo Moreki took 3/24 in 10.2 with David Schierhout and Corbin Bosch taking 1 a piece. In an interview Elgar referred to the pitch as tricky to bat on. His views borne out by the Cobras being 121/5 at the close with Kyle Verreyne on 50 not out. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235230/cape-cobras-vs-titans-pool-a-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Dolphins v Lions The Lions went from 135/3 overnight to 258 all out. Ryan Rickleton got 60 while Temba Bavuma only added 13 to his overnight score. Ottniel Baartman added 3 more to end up with 4/41 in 23. Kerwin Mungroo took 2/37 in 15. Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen took 1 a piece. The Dolphins are 189/1 overnight with Sarel Erwee on a 123 not out and Keegan Petersen on 59 not out. Beuran Hendricks with 1/42 in 10 taking the wicket of Grant Roelofsen. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235228/dolphins-vs-lions-pool-b-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Day three of round one seems an interesting prospect as the Warriors and the Titans fight for survival and a turn around in fortune while the Dolphins will look to get the edge on the Lions.

Some cricket to talk about as our domestic season kicked off with the first round of the First Class competition. Knights (coached by AD) ended the day on 405/5 largely due to the top 4 all making fifties with opener Jacques Snyman getting a century before lunch. Young Raynard Van Tonder got 85 - a potential Protea in the making. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235229/knights-vs-warriors-cross-pool-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 The Cobras managed to somehow cobble together 264/9d with Pieter Malan's 51 the top score. Lizaad Williams 4/51 in 22, Tabraiz Shamsi 3/80 in 24 and Okuhle Cele 2/45 in 20 took the wickets. Markram was the wicket to fall to George Linde in the Titans innings, they are 4/1. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235230/cape-cobras-vs-titans-pool-a-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 The Lions match against the Dolphins started after lunch due to weather and the Lions were 153/3 at the close of play. Reeza Hendricks 76 the top score so far. Only other score of note is Temba Bavuma on 30*. Ottniel Baartman 1/18 in 14, Kerwin Mungroo 1/22 in 10 and Andile Phehlukwayo 1/33 in 10 took the wickets for the Dolphins. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8877/scorecard/1235228/dolphins-vs-lions-pool-b-4-day-franchise-series-2020-21 Today seemed to be a pretty good day to be an opener as most of them got into the runs. Also Snyman really took the Warriors bowling and scored his runs right quick facing only 78 balls to get his hundred. Also the first guy to get a century before lunch in a decade. The last guy to do so was Rilee Rossouw.

A couple of sprint days before we hit the mountains and then it kind of mixes up a bit after that. Looks good, looks tough as it always does. Here's to hoping it takes place at the scheduled time!

Well that would be the ownership ito financial and legal responsibility but I'm not sure the creepy Dane has in fact taken ownership hence the need for a main sponsor. However looking at things from a purely sacrifice and commitment perspective this team does not exist without Doug Ryder making the effort.

In reality the team's name should probably be Ryder Incorporated. He has done a fair bit more than just putting a lot into the team - it kinda feels like it defines his being. Which could be seen as good or bad depending on your point of view.

Fantastic news for Ryan!!! I am still hoping someone will be able to help Doug Ryder out in saving Team NTT. Would love to see the team survive another year or two and perhaps garner a few more sponsors along the way.

I hold both in high regard and I'm not in the least surprised to see that exchange. They might not necessarily be friends, and to be clear they don't have to be, but they do clearly hold the other in very high regard for their ability on the bike. Jered Gruber has a great eye for a fantastic photo. Love his and his wife, Ashley's IG feed as it is just littered with such photos!

That would be pretty awesome! All we need is a decent +/- 150km route that results in either a sprint finish or a reduced group sprint. The question is more about where exactly to host such a route. Plenty places with good potential.

A classy post from a classy rider.

What a win for MVDP!!!!!! That was so so close! His reaction though shows how much this means to him!

Everybody else is riding for third. One of WvA or MVDP will be the champion today. It's going to be a tight one!