Wayne Parnell proved that he is ready to serve the Proteas with bat and ball after scoring a sensational hundred to guide the Cape Cobras to their first Sunfoil Series win of the season on Sunday.
The Cobras, having dominated for most of their clash against the Highveld Lions in Oudtshoorn, were met by tough resistance from the Gauteng side’s lower-order on day three and the first half of the final day.
Bjorn Fortuin (72 off 179 balls, 7x4), Hardus Viljoen (46 off 84 balls, 6x4, 1x6) and Wiaan Mulder (25) kept the Cape side out in the field for much longer than they had anticipated on Sunday after resuming their innings on the overnight score of 247/7.
The Lions added another 136 to set the Cobras a target of 237 for victory, but it was also the amount of time that was taken out of the game that nearly scuppered the chances of Ashwell Prince’s team in his first match as interim coach.
It meant that the Cobras had just 46 overs in which to make their runs, and they were already without the injured Andrew Puttick. That saw Parnell promoted to open the innings, like he does in 50-over cricket, and it was a clever move as he ensured the Cobras were in one-day mode for the chase.
Parnell combined with Omphile Ramela for a sprightly opening partnership of 74 in about 14 overs, at a run-rate above five, before Ramela perished for 36 to Mulder.
Another left-hander in Stiaan van Zyl kept the pace going, and the Cobras appeared to be coasting to victory in what was a 125-run stand for the second wicket.
But panic set in once Van Zyl was dismissed for 64 off just 65 deliveries (7x4, 1x6) as Justin Ontong and Jason Smith followed soon after.
Parnell, though, was still going strongly at the other end, and after Dane Vilas hit a six off Mulder, Parnell finished things off in style with a four to win the game and go to just his second first-class hundred, ending on 103 not out off 131 balls (7x4, 2x6).
The Proteas all-rounder was also named Man of the Match after claiming six wickets with the ball, and it was the perfect tune-up ahead of Thursday’s final Test against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers, where Parnell is likely to replace Kyle Abbott, who is not eligible for selection after signing a Kolpak deal with English county Hampshire.
* The two other Sunfoil Series games both ended in draws, with the Knights and Titans abandoned on day three without a ball being bowled due to rain in Bloemfontein.
Bad weather also had the final say at Kingsmead in Durban, where the Dolphins and Warriors game petered out into a stalemate.
Lunch was taken early on Sunday due to a wet outfield, and only 40 overs were bowled on Sunday. The Dolphins ended on 361/4, with Vaughn van Jaarsveld top-scoring with 154 (204 balls, 14x4, 5x6).