Opener Elgar returns to form
SHEPHERDING: KEPT TITANS AFLOAT AGAINST LIONS
Test opener Dean Elgar returned to form under huge pressure yesterday as he batted for nearly four hours without being dismissed to try and keep the Titans afloat against the Highveld Lions in their Four-Day Domestic Series match in Potchefstroom.
Elgar, who had delivered a wayunder-par eight runs in his three previous four-day innings this season, reached the close of play on the second day on 89 not out, shepherding the Titans to 165 for three, replying to the Lions’ massive first-innings score of 530.
The Titans began their first innings well enough with Elgar and debutant Gionne Koopman adding 79 for the first wicket.
But then Koopman suffered the gross misfortune of being run out at the non-striker’s end for 25 as bowler Migael Pretorius deflected a straight drive into the stumps. The Titans were soon really under the pump as Tony de Zorzi was caught at extra cover off Wihan Lubbe for 30 and Beuran Hendricks claimed the massive scalp of Theunis de Bruyn, caught off an attempted pull for just four.
Elgar, so adept at keeping the good balls out but still able to collect 14 boundaries, made it through to stumps in the company of Jonathan Vandiar (11*).
The underwhelming Titans attack had earlier allowed the Lions to go from their overnight score of 385 for five to 530 all out, with Nicky van den Bergh scoring 49 and Aaron Phangiso making just his second franchise half-century with 51 not out.
Eldred Hawken was the best of the Titans bowlers with four for 95 in 26 overs.
In Port Elizabeth, the Warriors new-ball pair of Anrich Nortje (25.3-6-66-6) and Lutho Sipamla (21-2-63-3) quickly wrapped up the Knights first innings as the visitors went from their overnight 276 for eight to 279 all out, Ryan McLaren adding just two runs to his overnight score of 74.
Opener Ed Moore (75) and Colin Ackermann (79) led the way as the Warriors finished the second day on 329 for seven, taking the home side’s lead to 50 runs with three wickets in hand.
The middle-order also contributed with captain Jon-Jon Smuts making 44 and the highly-promising Sinethemba Qeshile will resume on 40 not out.
In Cape Town, the log-leading Cobras are heading for a sizeable first-innings lead over the Dolphins as they finished the second day on 317 for eight, already leading by 92 runs.
Opener Pieter Malan, with a determined 153 in seven hours at the crease, and Vernon Philander, with a controlled 108, his third first-class century, led the way with a Cobras record sixth-wicket stand of 228.
Okuhle Cele was the best of the Dolphins bowlers with three wickets.