Markram helps end Warriors’ run
Forgotten man Aiden Markram gave the national selectors another firm nudge as he scored a second consecutive hundred to lead the Titans to a 55-run victory over the Warriors in their Momentum One-Day Cup fixture at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Markram, who smashed 169 against the Cobras in Cape Town on Friday, was at his supreme best again in making 139 on Sunday on a very good pitch as the Titans rattled up a record-breaking 369 for five in their 50 overs.
It was the highest ever competition total at St George’s Park, eclipsing the 322 for six scored by the Warriors against the Dolphins in 2014/2015.
The Warriors needed to hammer the accelerator almost from the start and in doing so there is always a chance of losing wickets, but they remained calm and chipped away at the massive total, only to find it a bridge too far.
Teen sensation Sinethemba Qeshile impressed again with 88 and captain Jon-Jon Smuts made 77, but the task was too much and they eventually finished on 314 in 47.1 overs.
It was the Warriors’ first loss of the tournament in their sixth match but they remain in a good position for the playoffs at the top of the table with 18 points. The Titans are in a close second position.
For Markram, it was another classy performance that will continue to rally support for his inclusion in the latter two games of the current fivematch Sri Lankan series.
Many believe the elegant righthander is a match-winner and should be included in the SA squad for the World Cup.
And he again provided evidence of that reasoning as he bossed the Warriors’ attack in stroking 13 fours and two sixes off only 127 balls.
Fellow opener Tony de Zorzi was unlucky to fall on 99 as the pair posted a massive 234 for the first wicket, another competition record at St George’s, breaking a 26-yearold mark of 195 set by Kepler Wessels and the late Philip Amm for EP in 1992/1993.
Markram was dropped at point by Gihahn Cloete on 102, but for the remainder it was a wonderful innings.
Lutho Sipamla stood head and shoulders above his fellow Warriors bowlers while returning figures of three for 40 in his 10 overs.
Smuts fought hard with the bat and Qeshile continued to show exactly why he is one of the brightest batting talents in SA cricket in recent times, scoring his runs off only 62 balls with six fours and five sixes.
This, after making his maiden franchise ton against the Lions in East London on Friday.