Titan Von Berg stands tall at Newlands
LAST week, over 1000 runs were scored for the loss of just 14 wickets over four days at Newlands. Yesterday, 11 wickets tumbled at the ground between the Cape Cobras and the Titans.
Unfortunately, 10 of them belonged to the Cobras, with burly Titans leg-spinner Shaun von Berg claiming five. He tore through the middle and lower-order after David Wiese made the initial double breakthrough.
Wiese removed centurions of last week, Omphile Ramela and Andrew Puttick, with just 29 runs on the board. Without the experienced opening pair to set a platform, the rest failed to absorb the pressure.
Jason Smith was Von Berg’s first victim, the all-rounder left stranded after advancing down the wicket.
The Cobras’ situation would’ve been worse were it not for a 92-run fifth-wicket stand between Stiaan van Zyl and Justin Ontong.
But just as their partnership threatened to resurrect the hosts’ innings, Von Berg struck again – Ontong caught for 45.
His exit unsettled Van Zyl, who brought up his 50 off 102 balls before he succumbed a few overs later to a delivery turning the other way from off-spinner Henry Davids.
Von Berg wrapped up the tail with the dismissals of Dane Piedt, Rory Kleinveldt and Dane Paterson to complete the 18th five-for of his firstclass career.
Medium-pacer Junior Dala, along with Wiese, chipped in with two wickets apiece.
The Cobras bowlers didn’t fare any better with the defending champions walking to the crease with a great deal of intent. The visitors rollicked along at over five runs to the over, bringing up their 100 in just 18.2 overs.
Former South African Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Aiden Markram continued from his century on franchise debut last week with an unbeaten 50 off 48 balls.
Not even the dismissal of his senior partner, Heino Kuhn, who was clean bowled by Rory Kleinveldt for nine, could slow Markram down.
Grant Mokoena followed Markram’s lead with an undefeated 39 at a strike-rate of 100 to ensure the Titans claimed top honours on day one.