Share

Cook, Hendricks secure first win for Lions

accreditation
Stephen Cook (Gallo Images)
Stephen Cook (Gallo Images)

Cape Town - Centuries by Stephen Cook and Reeza Hendricks outdid tons by Andrew Puttick and Zubayr Hamza as the Highveld Lions ended the season on a high by ousting the Cape Cobras by nine wickets in their final match in Potchefstroom on Sunday.

All four completed their hundreds on the final day, with the two visiting batsmen helping their side, who resumed overnight on 106 for one, to post 364 for three declared.

That left the home side a target of 257 in a little over 40 overs at Senwes Park and they took the game to the Cape side with an entertaining late-match chase that helped take them to a first triumph of the season.

It was first the turn of Puttick and Hamza - the former hitting 116 (241 balls, 11 fours) and the latter 121 (182 balls, 18 fours, 2 sixes) - as they scored their 27th and ninth career centuries respectively.

The pair added a record 213 second wicket partnership for the Cobras against the Lions that enabled the visitors to declare on 364 for three.

It meant the Capetonians needed to bowl out their opponents to have a chance of winning the title. But things turned completely against them as they found Cook and Hendricks in no mood to scratch around.

The pair added a franchise record of 226 in 37.1 overs for the opening wicket.

Captain Cook was the main aggressor with 116 (106 balls, 14 fours), while Hendricks top-scored with an unbeaten 119 (124 balls, 18 fours) as the Lions reached their target in exactly 40 overs.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE