Botha ton keeps Warriors in the hunt

Johan Botha made his maiden first-class century and then took four wickets for a superb all-round performance on the third day of the SuperSport Series match between the Warriors and the Dolphins at St George's Park on Saturday.

The two teams finished the third day with both sides having an equal winning chance.

The match underwent a dramatic change after the low scoring of the first two days with the result that Botha and fellow Protea Makhaya Ntini were able to put together a vital stand of 78 for the final Warriors' wicket.

Ntini revived memories of his batting heroics in the Sydney Test as he occupied the crease for 86 minutes and faced 40 balls. He remained unbeaten to the end with Botha last man out for a career best 109 (150 balls, 16 fours and two sixes).

It left the Dolphins with a victory target of 282 with more than enough time to get the runs.

Loots Bosman and Imraan Khan got their challenge off to a good start and they looked in good shape as Hashim Amla provided the foundation for the other batsmen to work around him.

However, the match swung back the Warriors' way when Botha dismissed Jon Kent, Cameron Delport and Andrew Hall without a run being scored.

That left the Dolphins more than 100 runs short at 174/6 and worse was to follow when Amla (80 off 156 balls, 9 fours) was run out by Ashwell Prince.

The day finished with the Dolphins on 234/7 with another 48 runs needed for victory. They still have two solid batsmen at the crease in Daryn Smit and Johann Louw and this match could go right down to the wire. - Sapa