A titanic knock from De Kock takes the sting out of Cobras

QUINTON DE KOCK sent a reminder of his long-form credentials to the Proteas selectors as his 117 put the Titans in the ascendancy after the first day of their Sunfoil Series clash with the Cape Cobras at Willowmoore Park.

Batting at No 6, De Kock, pictured, rescued the Titans from 97/4 and then 171/6 with his 133-ball knock, adding 153 for the seventh wicket with Chris Morris at almost a run a ball to allow the hosts to close on 344/7.

That partnership changed the complexion of a day that had the potential to turn around the fortunes of an underperforming Cobras side, who brushed off the effects of losing the toss by striking three times early on. First, Rory Kleinveldt was rewarded for a long opening spell with the wicket of Heino Kuhn (30), before Lizaad Williams and Dane Paterson nabbed Grant Mokoena and Henry Davids cheaply.

Theunis de Bruyn and Farhaan Behardien dragged things back for the Titans with contrasting innings in a 54-run stand, with De Bruyn (32) providing the solidity and Behardien giving the forward impetus with a run-a-ball 35.

However, in the second over after lunch Williams had Behardien caught and soon after, Paterson trapped De Bruyn lbw. De Kock and David Wiese added 45 for the sixth wicket in good time but when Williams bowled Wiese for 21, the Cobras would have felt they were into the tail.

Morris proved that they weren’t, as he batted calmly through to tea and then took the attack to the visitors.

De Kock went to his hundred from 122 balls with a six off Siya Simetu and although he fell to part-timer Simon Khomari shortly before the second new ball arrived, Morris reached stumps on 73 not out from just 96 deliveries when bad light stopped play after 83.1 overs.

Meanwhile, Cape-born Qaasim Adams contributed 87 in his first innings on loan at the Highveld Lions, but the opening day of action at the Wanderers still belonged to the Warriors after they dismissed the hosts for 291.

Loaned out to the Lions for two matches because he could not get a game at the Titans, Adams shared a 125-run stand for the fifth wicket with Nicky van den Bergh that kept the home side afloat after the loss of four early wickets. – ANA