Malan and Khomari strike
HALF-CENTURIES by Pieter Malan and Simon Khomari put the Cobras in a commanding position at the halfway stage of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Titans in Oudtshoorn yesterday.
The pair shared an opening stand of 135 as the hosts replied to the visitors’ 275 by going to stumps on 299/5.
Malan, one of the most consistent batsmen in local first-class cricket over the past two seasons, made 95 (181 balls, 12 fours) and was still unbeaten, although he had to retire hurt due to severe cramp at the Recreation Ground.
Khomari recorded a career-best 77 (90 balls, 14 fours), beating his previous high score of 70 against the Warriors at Paarl in 2015/16.
Late wickets jolted the log leaders, although they still had five wickets in the bag heading into Day 3.
Earlier there was heartbreak for Leus du Plooy as he fell just short of a century when he was last man standing for the Titans unbeaten on 97 (257 balls, 12 fours, 1 six).
Just three runs were added to the away side’s 272/9 with Alfred Mothoa (1) dismissed by Dane Piedt, who completed an excellent return of 6/75 in 41.2 overs.
The Malan-Khomari stand then provided an excellent backbone for the reply.
Zubayr Hamza (28) added 71 for the second wicket before he was removed by Du Plooy (1/48), before David Bedingham (41) and Kyle Verreynne (17) took the score to 265/2 thanks to another half-century partnership that yielded 59.
The home side lost their way somewhat from there, but with five wickets still standing, the Cobras held the advantage.
Meanwhile, a maiden franchise century by Kagiso Rapulana played a key role as the Highveld Lions clawed their way back against the Knights in Bloemfontein.
There was also an outstanding career-best return from Bjorn Fortuin, whose 7/70 in 30.3 overs helped bowl out the hosts for 357.
Right-hander Rapulana then hit an unbeaten 114 (144 balls, 13 fours) to help the visitors reach stumps on 279/5 – a deficit of 78.
It was a good fightback from the title-chasing Lions after they had slumped to 185/5.
The Knights resumed on 312/6 and superb bowling by spinner Fortuin ensured that just 45 runs were produced by the final four wickets.
After Nandre Burger nipped out Andries Gous for 45, Fortuin claimed the last three wickets to send the hosts packing in 113.3 overs.
Stephen Cook (49) and Dominic Hendricks (18) put on 54 for the first wicket before three quick wickets left them on 82/3.
A 95-run stand between Rapulana and Temba Bavuma (30) helped get the Lions back on the road before Patrick Kruger (2/37) threatened to derail the Johannesburg-based side.
But Rapulana’s attacking third career century – a best in four-day cricket surpassing the 75 he made against the Titans last weekend – was the big difference.