Lower-order batsman Dane Vilas struck 187 on Friday as defending champions Western Cape Cobras wrested the initiative from leaders Central Knights in a key South African SuperSport Series clash.
Vilas hit 23 fours and six sixes off 198 balls at De Beers Diamond Oval in Northern Cape city Kimberley as Cobras recovered from 23-2 overnight to total 432 and take a 214-run first-innings lead halfway through the match.
Robin Peterson was another lower-order Cobras batsman who rose to the occasion, cracking a 97 that included 17 fours and one six during 232 minutes at the crease.
J.J. van der Wath and Quinton Friend claimed three wickets each for Knights, but they came at a high cost with 184 runs conceded against a Cobras tail that stung.
Unbeaten Knights are 11 points ahead of third-place Cobras after six rounds of the four-day championship and a win would boost their title chances while virtually ending those of the Cape Town side.
Northern Titans, who lie second in the table, made 393 at Willowmoore Park in eastern Johannesburg suburb Benoni and then bowled out Eastern Cape Warriors for 264 to establish a 129-run first-innings advantage.
