The Unlimited Titans made their first scalp of the RAM SLAM T20 a big one, as Henry Davids’ superb 75 gave them a 21-run victory over the table-topping bizhub Highveld Lions at Sahara Park Willowmoore.
Davids shrugged off a couple of potentially unsettling rain delays, which reduced the game to 16 overs per side, to set the Titans on their way to a formidable score of 161 for six.
Faced with such a stiff task the Lions needed the returning Chris Gayle to come good for them, but once the Jamaican was dismissed for just 11 by Ethy Mbhalati, they lacked the firepower to get anywhere close.
The visitors eventually finished on 140 for five, with Jean Symes’ unbeaten half-century and Dwaine Pretorius’ 27 the only bright spots, giving the Titans their first points in the competition in their sixth game.
The only thing that could halt Davids’ assault was the rain, which arrived with the Titans on 117 for two in the 12th over and then 131 for four in the 14th. His 42-ball innings included four sixes and seven fours, and after Theunis de Bruyn (30) had played the supporting role early on, the lower order added some late runs even as wickets fell.
Mbhalati (2 for 29) made the ideal start with the ball as he dismissed Alviro Petersen and Gayle in his first two overs, and although he had his figures spoiled by Symes’ assault in the final over of the game, his contribution had undoubtedly been crucial.
Symes finished on 57 not out from just 32 balls, but it was not enough to prevent the Lions’ first defeat in the competition.
Neil McKenzie’s side do, however, remain top of the table, while the Titans remain bottom.
LATEST STANDINGS
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR | For | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | +0.788 | 895/108.4 | 864/116.0 |
| Cape Cobras | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 19 | +0.217 | 689/85.0 | 710/90.0 |
| Knights | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 17 | +1.390 | 831/96.2 | 720/99.3 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | +0.554 | 900/110.0 | 792/103.5 |
| Warriors | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | -1.519 | 820/119.3 | 954/113.5 |
| Titans | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -1.109 | 934/116.0 | 1029/112.2 |
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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