Shaun von Berg’s third first-class century helped The Titans notch up the highest total on a run-heavy third day of Sunfoil Series cricket around the country.
Although just 47 overs of play were possible in Pietermaritzburg, where the Dolphins scored 366 for six declared against the Knights, the other two games enjoyed clearer skies and a huge stack of runs.
Senwes Park saw a total of 487 runs scored on Saturday for the loss of eight wickets, while at Sahara Willowmoore Park the Titans moved from 84 without loss - the score they reached prior to day two’s washout - to 491 for seven declared against the Cape Cobras.
On a placid track the Titans had little trouble blunting a Cobras attack that had finished off the Dolphins in three days last weekend, as Heino Kuhn, Francois le Clus, Cobus Pienaar, Mangaliso Mosehle and David Wiese all scored half-centuries.
The innings was capped by an unbroken partnership of 158 between Roelof van der Merwe and Von Berg, who finished unbeaten on 72 and 105 respectively to make the visitors toil. Justin Kemp was the only bowler to finish with respectable figures, taking 4 for 78 in his 20 overs, while Beuran Hendricks took 2 for 106 from 25 overs.
The Cobras opening stand was broken in the final half-hour of the day when Omphile Ramela was trapped lbw by Wiese with the score on 63 and, with nightwatchman Hendricks lasting just five deliveries, the visitors went to stumps on 73 for two.
The run-fest at Senwes Park was more of a ‘boom or bust’ affair, with three centurions posting the majority of the runs. The Warriors resumed on 132 for three in response to the Highveld Lions’ first-innings total of 400 for three declared, and relied on David White’s 112 and Colin Ingram’s 134 before Rusty Theron struck a run-a-ball 43 to give them a six-run lead.
Theron then grabbed the key wicket of Stephen Cook with the second ball of the Lions’ second innings, but Alviro Petersen returned to form with an unbeaten 130, as he enjoyed an unbroken stand of 213 with Dominic Hendricks (62 not out).
At the close of play the Lions were 213 for one, giving them an overall lead of 207 with one day to play.
In Pietermaritzburg the Dolphins resumed on 206 for three with Khaya Zondo and Cody Chetty at the wicket, and the pair extended their partnership to a monstrous 157 before they were both dismissed for 90.
Captain Morne van Wyk struck an unbeaten 100 before declaring, but bad light prevented any further play in a match that has seen just one innings from either team over the first three days.
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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