The top-of-the-table Momentum One-Day Cup clash in Cape Town ended in a win for the now second-placed Titans as they narrowed the gap to Cape Cobras at the top to eight points with a game in hand.
Albie Morkel played a key role. His unbeaten 63 off just 52 balls helped Titans recover from 39 for three and 130 for five in their run chase of 214. He had earlier dismissed both Cobras openers Richard Levi and Andrew Puttick en route to figures of two for 17. Stiaan van Zyl did help the home side post a competitive total of 213 by making a measured 65 from number three. However, wickets from Ethy Mbhalati (3-35) and Henry Davids (2-32) ensured that the Titans target wouldn’t be excessive.
Knights kept their slim hopes of a top three finish alive with a seven-wicket demolition of Lions in Johannesburg. Dillon du Preez took four for 34 and Shadley van Schalkwyk two for 43 as Lions could muster just 227 for nine from their 50 overs. This was despite a strong start that saw Stephen Cook make 34 off 39 balls and Rassie van der Dussen 57 from 90.
The Knights chase lost Lefa Mosena in the third over but from there it was plain sailing as Gerhardt Abrahams and Rudi Second added 107 for the second-wicket. Both men fell after passing 50, but Pite van Biljon and Obus Piennar saw them home. The former ended on 51 off 58 balls, with the latter on 25 off 26 deliveries.
Last-placed Warriors recorded their second win of the competition after racking up 322 for six against Dolphins, who have slipped to third in the table.
Openers Michael Price and JJ Smuts put on 178 in less than 32 overs to set up a late onslaught from Ryan Bailey. Price fell for 95 off 110 balls, with Smuts making 88 off 94 before Bailey hit eight boundaries during a 41-ball stay at the crease that yielded 63 runs.
Dolphins openers Morne van Wyk and Cameron Delport then got their side off to an excellent start by adding 69 in a little over nine overs. However, they lacked a substantial partnership during their innings despite Khaya Zondo hitting 74. Rusty Theron mopped things up and ended with four for 67, while Lundi Mbane (2-51) and Smuts (1-45) were the other wicket-takers.
Daniel Grummitt
He worked for CricketWorld.com for almost three years, leading their county and domestic cricket coverage and contributing to a book about the 2012 ICC World Twenty20, before joining the hugely ambitious World Cricket Badger early in 2014.
The first Test that he remembers watching was on Channel 4 - back before the ECB marginalised potential future fans by selling the TV rights to Sky Sports - when England beat Pakistan by an innings and nine runs at Lord’s.
Besides a passion for domestic cricket, he also has an unexplainable interest in all things Zimbabwe cricket!
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