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Johannesburg - Neil McKenzie has reaffirmed that age is no barrier to endurance as his unbeaten double-century gave the Highveld Lions the opportunity to celebrate their Sunfoil Series crowning with a victory over the Warriors at the Wanderers.
The 39-year-old’s 203 not out was the cornerstone of a Lions total of 464 for nine declared, which gave the champions-elect a 264-run lead on first innings.
Although David White and Michael Price made a firm start to the Warriors’ second innings as they put on 67 for the first wicket, Hardus Viljoen trapped White lbw for 34 to send the visitors to stumps on 73 for one.
The Lions will lift the Sunfoil Series trophy on Sunday evening regardless of the match’s outcome, but will have their sights set on picking up the last nine wickets for less than 191 runs to give them an innings victory.
McKenzie began the third day unbeaten on 55 with the Lions 197 for four, and extended his innings towards the nine-hour mark.
Although all of his partners reached double figures, none went further than Viljoen’s 39 and so he was forced to do the majority of the legwork.
That proved well within his capabilities, and so the declaration was able to coincide with him bringing up his double-hundred.
There was some frustration for the prolific Lions attack at the start of the second innings, but they will still be confident of bowling their side to a seventh victory of the season if the weather plays ball on the final day.
