Cape Town - A sixth career century by David Miller helped the Knights ease into a powerful position after two days of action in their Sunfoil Series encounter against the Highveld Lions at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Friday.

The Proteas batsman struck 103 (148 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes) as the hosts closed on 306 for four in response to 217 all out made by the visitors earlier on in the day.

Luthando Mnyanda also played a key hand alongside Miller after compiling 81 (154 balls, 14 fours) to give the Knights an 89-run lead heading into the weekend.

The Lions did make a positive start to proceedings on day two with Dwaine Pretorius progressing from his overnight 42 to 76 (133 balls, 11 fours).

He helped his side move from 159 for eight at the start to their eventual total - meaning 97 came with help from the last two wickets as Sean Jamison managed 35.

Mbulelo Budaza was the pick of the bowlers with three for 40.

The Knights lost Grant Mokoena (6) and Keegan Petersen (0) cheaply in the reply, but a 94-run third-wicket stand by Mnyanda and Miller got them back on track.

The latter then added another 103 for the for the fourth wicket with Rudi Second, who had to retire hurt on 28, before becoming the third victim of Nono Pongolo (3/61).

But the runs continued to flow through an unbroken 50-run stand between Patrick Kruger (45) and Werner Coetsee (32), leaving the hosts well-placed at the close.