Andrew Puttick and JP Duminy both made glorious centuries as the Cape Cobras coasted to a seven-wicket victory over the Highveld Lions in their MTN40 match at the Wanderers on Wednesday.

Chasing what was thought to be a challenging target of 287 to win, the Cobras got there for the loss of three wickets with six balls in hand.

The match was the first in the new format, which is aimed at reviving interest in the longer form of limited overs cricket.

National captain Graeme Smith won the toss and sent the Lions in to bat first.

The hosts got off to a good start, although they lost the wickets of Jean Symes and Alviro Petersen in the first six overs.

Lions captain Neil McKenzie and Vaughn van Jaarsveld shared a stand of 116 at a run a ball before Van Jaarsveld was out leg before wicket to Duminy for 67, including seven fours and three sixes.

McKenzie made 80 off 86 deliveries and Zander de Bruyn added 54 off 34 as the Lions completed their 40 overs on 286 for six.

The Cobras got off to a stuttering start when Smith was caught by Friedel de Wet at fine leg off Andre Nel in the first over, before the Cobras had a run on the board.

However, Nel, who conceded just one run for Smith's wicket in the first over, went for 23, including four fours and a six by Robin Peterson in his third over.

Puttick and Peterson raced to a 50-run partnership off just 39 balls before Peterson was caught behind by Thami Tsolekile off Cliffie Deacon for 38.

Puttick was joined by Duminy, and they simply took the match away from the Lions with a superb stand.

Puttick's 50 came off 45 balls and Duminy's off 42. They showed little mercy for the Lions bowlers, as they appeared to hit boundaries and sixes at will - some of the sixes going halfway up the first tier of seats.

Puttick reached his century off 87 deliveries, including 11 fours and two sixes. Duminy's maiden limited overs century came off 88 balls, and included eight boundaries and four sixes.

With victory just around the corner, Duminy was bowled by Deacon for 104, but by then his job was done.

He and Puttick put on 224 off 187 balls for the third wicket - 19 short of the record third-wicket partnership between McKenzie and Adam Bacher of the Lions at Fochville in 1996/97.

Puttick ended unbeaten on 122.

The match ended on a slightly farcical note when Zander de Bruyn bowled a no-ball, which went for four leg byes, giving the Cobras their victory with six balls left to bowl.

The match had everything the organisers had promised - wickets, runs, boundaries and sixes. The only thing lacking was the crowd.

Less than a thousand people turned out to watch, which was a pity.

The match was entertaining, the cricket of a high standard and the new format shows signs of offering spectators the kind of excitement they want.

The Cobras will be in action again on Friday, when they play defending champions the Titans in Centurion, while the Lions travel to Bloemfontein for a match against the Diamond Eagles.

The Dolphins will be at home to the Warriors in Durban.

Sapa

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