Defiant De Bruyn blooms in Bloem
SKIPPER: TAKES KNIGHTS TO COMMANDING TOTAL OF 400 Malan scores a century of his own for Cape Cobras while Warriors succumb to Phangiso’s spin.
Bloemfontein has long been considered a great environment for batsmen to stamp their mark on domestic cricket, but Theunis de Bruyn nevertheless produced something special there on the first day of the Sunfoil Series match between the Knights and the Dolphins yesterday.
De Bruyn, something of the forgotten batsman in the Proteas setup, plundered a morale-boosting 190 off just 225 balls, taking the Knights to a commanding total of 400 for six on the first day.
Coming to the crease on the eighth ball of the day, De Bruyn took total charge as he shared partnerships of 198 for the second wicket with Luthando Mnyanda (74) and 116 for the third wicket with Pite van Biljon (40).
But once De Bruyn was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy, there was something of a procession of batsmen as the Knights lost four wickets for 86 runs.
Cape Cobras opener Pieter Malan also notched a century as the four-day competition resumed, and although the Titans had some bowling issues in Benoni, it was nevertheless a fantastic effort.
Malan batted through the 74 overs possible before a storm stopped play, finishing on 103 not out as the visitors posted 272 for five.
With Stiaan van Zyl making a carefree 54, the Cobras were 204 for two, but the Titans bowlers were much more consistent after tea and they could yet cause problems with the second new ball this morning.
Batting is obviously not so easy in East London, where the Warriors (193 all out) fell to the left-arm spin of Aaron Phangiso (five for 56) and the seam of Wiaan Mulder (three for 42) in their match against the Highveld Lions.
The visitors lost the wickets of Stephen Cook (10), Reeza Hendricks (5) and Omphile Ramela (31) as they reached 77 for three at stumps, and will obviously rely on the experience of Rassie van der Dussen (26*) on the second day.