DAY 2: Olivier tips the match in favor of the Warriors

Jordan Herman © Gallo Images

Duanne Olivier produced a brilliant morning spell to help Dafabet Warriors reduce Renault Potchefstroom North-West Dragons to 105/7 on the second day of their CSA 4-day series match at Dafabet St George’s Park on Friday.

The Dragons trail by 193 runs with three wickets in hand, replying to the Warriors’ first innings total of 298 runs.

Olivier announced himself in style for the Warriors’ four-day squad, taking four wickets for 39 runs in 10 overs in the morning session. The pacer moved to St George’s Park this year after playing for the DP World Lions. Soon the 32-year-old footballer confused the visitors.

The Proteas seamer started his third over of the morning with no ball and redeemed himself by taking two wickets in two deliveries in the back of that over. First, he involved Janneman Malan in a deep drive down the fourth stump line. The Dragons opener handed the ball to Matthew de Villiers at second slip.

Lesiba Ngope was the next batter and faced a single delivery, the length of which he misjudged and was trapped lbw. Olivier was at the peak of his popularity. He set up Matthew Kleinveldt for his third wicket in his fourth over of the morning, leaving the Dragons stranded at 29/3.

Patrick Kruger and Renaldo Meyer maintained the pressure applied by Olivier and Beyers Swanepoel during their performances. The duo contributed little and were rewarded with the wickets of Wihan Lubbe and Rubin Hermann. However, Olivier wasn’t done yet. The pacer was back in the attack just before lunch and threw a peach shot to break through Mick the Eel Prince’s defense and clear.

Beyers Swanepoel, Patrick Kruger and Renaldo Meyer each took a wicket as the hosts thrashed the Dragons.

WARRIORS: Jordan Herrmann (captain), Jeeveshan Pillay, Andile Mogakane, Jean du Plessis, Sinethemba Kesheel (wk), Matthew de Villiers, Patrick Kruger, Beyers Swanepoel, Duanne Olivier, Renaldo Meyer, Siya Simetu.

DRAGONS: Janneman Malan, Matthew Kleinveldt, Lesiba Ngope, Rubin Hermann, Wihan Lubbe (captain), Ruan de Swardt, Mika-El Prince (tender), Migael Pretorius, Bamanye Xenxe, Kerwin Mangrue, Achille Cloete.