Cape Town - An extraordinary display of boundary-hitting by Marco Marais proved in vain after the Warriors’ latest CSA T20 Challenge match against the Highveld Lions had to be abandoned due to rain at Buffalo Park in East London on Sunday.

The right-hander, who last season shot to fame when the recorded the fastest first-class triple century in history, sizzled eight sixes and five fours in a 33-ball unbeaten 83 as the hosts recovered to reach 155/5 when rain intervened.

That was after 18.4 overs, after a delay for rain in which there were some DLS adjustments, the wet weather returned to end proceedings prematurely.

Before Marais went crazy, the Lions had lost the toss and made good progress after deciding to bowl first.

Aaron Phangiso’s excellent two for 13 in four as well as Bjorn Fortuin (1/23) and Beuran Hendricks (1/10) reduced the Warriors to 58 for four in the 10th over, before Marais and Sinethemba Qeshile (38) rescued their side.

Unfortunately for the sides, the match was called off and the four points on offer were split by the two sides.