Shamsi spins Titans into the T20 final
two wickets in the power-play, they were still able to score at 9.5 runs an over, giving themselves a very good platform for a big score on what appeared to be a slow pitch, something to which they are accustomed.
Colin Ingram (41) and Colin Ackerman (48) shared a 63-run partnership for the third wicket off 46 balls, much to the concern of the home team.
The introduction of spin was always going to be crucial given the surface and Aiden Markram picked up Ingram in his second over with one that bounced more than the left-hander had anticipated, giving Morkel a comfortable catch at backward point. The match turned in the 14th over, when left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi claimed the wickets of first Christiaan Jonker – a wretched hoick across the line that saw the ball come off the top edge – and then Ackerman, trapped lbw by a quicker delivery.
From 114/3 in that over the Warriors lost their remaining seven wickets for the addition of just 29 runs off 30 balls. Shamsi was outstanding, mixing pace and flight to dial in figures of 4/32. Markram claimed 1/30.
A target of 144 was never going to be enough against as powerful a batting lineup as the Titans and despite the loss of Quinton de Kock in the first over they cruised to victory.
Although Markram wasn’t at his best, he still helped himself to an unbeaten 56 (38b, 5x4, 3x6) as part of a partnership of 101 with AB de Villiers, who also notched up a half-century, finishing not out on 54 (36b, 2x4, 4x6)
The Titans will host the RamSlam final for the third year in a row on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Titans CEO Jacques Faul informed Cricket SA just before the start of play about the unfortunate incident that saw Davids unable to participate in the match. Cricket SA’s rules regarding its transformation targets stipulate that domestic sides must field six black players in their starting line-ups including three black African players. Because of Davids’ injury (meniscus of the knee) the Titans fielded just five. The Titans will have to submit a medical certificate to CSA in the next few days. It is believed they won’t face any sanction.