Titans attack brings Dolphins back down to earth

Patrick Compton

THE Dolphins came down to earth with a bump yesterday as they made a disappointing start to their Sunfoil Series match against the Titans in Centurion.

Having been put in to bat on a well-grassed pitch, the Dolphins were shot out for 207 with 20-year-old seamer Lungi Ngidi (5/39) and Malusi Siboto (3/44) the destroyers in chief.

It was a dream senior franchise debut for Ngidi, who was playing in only his fifth firstclass match.

The Titans, last season’s champions, will have been particularly pleased with the day, as they have suffered two consecutive defeats this season

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and needed to bounce back.

The Dolphins, on the other hand, were unable to maintain the momentum they created by winning their first two matches.

Coach Grant Morgan remained upbeat, however, as he contemplated the second day.

“I think the Titans have rolled the dice (by preparing a green pitch) to get a win. Sometimes that can blow up in your face, but they won a good toss, bowled well and took their chances today. But we feel we’re a long way from being out of this match. If we can strike early tomorrow, we’ll be right back in it.”

Having noted the conditions, the Dolphins left out off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen and included Senuran Muthusamy, on the basis of his batting, in their final XI.

It was a decision that paid dividends as the left-hand batsman compiled an unbeaten 52 in 123 balls to help his team to their modest total.

Coming in at 54/3, Muthusamy struck seven fours in a disciplined innings.

Morgan praised the 22-yearold’s contribution, saying he had shown “skill and courage” in defying the Titans’ pace attack for nearly three-and-ahalf hours.

The Dolphins had prided themselves on their catching in the first two matches,but yesterday they put down Heino Kuhn on seven.

At the close, the Titans’ openers, Kuhn and Aiden Markram had compiled the biggest partnership of the match to date, 45, completing an excellent day for the champions.