Piedt destroys Lions with seven-wicket haul

Dane Piedt was the star of a spectacular collapse by the bizhub Highveld Lions that saw them suffer a heavy 4-Day Domestic Series defeat to the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras on the third day of their match in Johannesburg on Wednesday. The Standard Bank Proteas spinner claimed seven for 118 as the home side lost six wickets for just 13 runs to lose by an innings and 71 runs at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium. It was Piedt’s 17th career five-wicket haul and set the visitors on their way to a second win out of two in the four-day competition this season. The victory had looked unlikely for most of the day, though, thanks to Stephen Cook recording a 45th ton in first-class cricket. The veteran opener, whose side started proceedings on 11 for none and were aiming to make up a massive innings deficit of 425, did well for most of the day. With Cook dropping anchor through his innings of 103 (198 balls, 11 fours), they reached 129 for one and then 214 for three after an assured 45 by Dominic Hendricks at the other end. After both fell to the bowling of Piedt, a 127-run fifth wicket stand between Wihan Lubbe and Nicky van den Bergh followed. The former, playing just his third franchise game, went on to post his highest franchise score of 81 (133 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes), while wicketkeeper Van Den Bergh recorded a brisk 73 (83 balls, 7 fours, 1 six). However, both fell in the same over to Piedt as the tail then crumbled. The Lions dropped from 341 for four in the 96th over to 354 all out in the 102nd over to hand the Cobras a big win.