Lions, Titans in wicket storm
VENOM: VERNON PHILANDER STRIKES FOR COBRAS
Knights, Warriors watch the grass grow in Kimberley.
The local derby between the Highveld Lions and the Titans at the Wanderers in the Sunfoil Series is poised on a knifeedge following the completion of the first innings yesterday.
The Titans, replying to the Lions’ first innings of 180, began the day on 96/2 and, following the pattern of the first day, wickets tumbled in the tricky morning session.
Wiaan Mulder took two wickets in his first over of the day as the visitors slipped to 121/5 and, after lunch, Aya Myoli (4/82) followed up his two wickets in two balls on the first evening by trapping the in-form Aiden Markram lbw for a defiant 85 and then had Malusi Siboto caught in the slips for four.
Shaun von Berg ensured, however, that the Titans would have something of a lead as his composed 63 not out took them to 213 all out.
Faced with a deficit of 33, the Lions fought hard to reach 104/3 at stumps, a lead of 71. Rassie van der Dussen (26*) and Nicky van den Bergh (9*) were digging in following the loss of Stephen Cook (5), Reeza Hendricks (26) and Omphile Ramela (32), who all edged catches behind the wicket.
In Oudtshoorn, Dane Vilas was the last man out in the Dolphins’ first innings for a commanding 161 off 200 balls. This was nearly half their entire total as they were all out for 327 against the Cape Cobras.
Vernon Philander showed that none of his considerable powers have diminished after injury as he took 4/25 in 20 overs.
The Cobras had slumped to 284/6 by stumps after they were 200/2 thanks to Pieter Malan (56), Zubayr Hamza (88) and Justin Ontong (49).
Seamers Kerwin Mungroo and Calvin Savage, neither of whom have played much for the Dolphins this season, had taken two wickets each.
No play was possible on the second day between the Knights and the Warriors in Kimberley. This means the Warriors go into the penultimate day on 120/2.