Maiden first-class five-for for Western Province Cricket Club pace ace

Michael CohenFile image: Michael Cohen.

Western Province Cricket Club fast bowler Michael Cohen welcomed a maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, on day two of the Cape Cobras’ key Sunfoil Series fixture against the Warriors at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Cohen removed openers Gionne Koopman and Edward Moore on Monday – and captain Jon-Jon Smuts, wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Breetzke and former Proteas cricketer Simon Harmer on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old left-armer’s figures of five for 107 in 21 overs were a significant improvement on his previous best of three for 20, achieved for Western Province against Border earlier this year.

He has relished a breakthrough year, having featured for South Africa Under-19 against their Sri Lankan counterparts, the South African Emerging Players against Zimbabwe A – and a Cricket South Africa Invitational XI against the touring Bangladeshis.

Former Montrose Cricket Club and current Milnerton Cricket Club seamer Mthiwekhaya Nabe, meanwhile, went without a wicket on Cobras debut. Ex-Vredenburg Saldanha Cricket Club star Lizaad Williams and United Cricket Club spinner Dane Piedt shared the remaining five wickets.