Twin-century Verreynne rocks Titans

Kyle Verreynne scored his second century of the match to keep the Cape Cobras alive and then their bowlers took six wickets in 38 overs to leave the Titans hanging on for the draw on a thrilling final day of the Four-Day Domestic Series match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni yesterday.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Verreynne followed up his counter-attacking 155 in the first innings with a feisty 115 on the final day that initially seemed to have prevented certain defeat for the Cobras.

Tshepo Moreki removed both set batsmen from the third day, Pieter Malan (48) and Jason Smith (53), and the Cobras sank to 178 for five when Aviwe Mgijima (9) was brilliantly caught behind by a diving Sizwe Masondo off Junior Dala. That left the visitors on an effective 44/5.

But Verreynne showed tremendous defiance as he struck 14 fours and two sixes in his 125-ball innings, lifting the Cobras to 348 all out. Moreki finished with 4/98 and left-arm spinner Neil Brand claimed 3/56.

That left the Titans with a target of 215 for victory in 47 overs, a required run-rate of 4.57, entirely doable but they needed to get off to a good start.

But the Cobras pacemen, led by Dane Paterson (11-5-24-2) and Tladi Bokako (7-2-26-2) ensured that was not going to happen they reduced the Titans to 79/6 inside 30 overs.

It meant Farhaan Behardien had to dig in for nearly two-anda-half hours and 98 deliveries to save the Titans, finishing on 29 not out as they reached 89/6 before the umpires ended play for bad light, 12 minutes before the scheduled close of play.

In Bloemfontein, the Dolphins also had to worry about saving their game against the Knights as, trailing by 149 runs on the first innings, they slumped to 51/4.

But the experienced Cody Chetty was their hero, batting for five hours and facing 201 deliveries as he scored 90 not out and ushered them to safety on 219/6.

Dolphins captain Khaya Zondo provided him with the initial support, scoring a brisk 39 in a sixth-wicket stand of 89 in 135 minutes and Sibonelo Makhanya then also scored 39 as 67 was added for the sixth wicket in an hourand-a-half.