Du Plessis’ dominant century
TITANS batsmen Faf du Plessis once again has shown he’s come of age and is quickly turning into a mature and classy performer after he dug the Titans out of a major hole with a sublime century on yesterday’s opening day of the Titans Supersport Series encounter against the Warriors at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
The right handed batsmen had to withstand a Lonwabo Tsotsobe assault, who made a total mess of the home side’s top order, restricting them to 27/4 after 11 overs.
He grabbed the wickets of Heino Khun, Martin van Jaarsveld, Farhaan Behardien and Tumelo Bodibe in a brilliant opening spell.
Thereafter the day belong to the Titans and Du Plessis, who together with Henry Davids, took the attack to the Warriors second string bowlers.
Shortly after lunch, however, the Warriors struck back.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer got rid of Davids for a well constructed 55 to leave the game in the balance at 155/5, but the initiative was soon wrestled back by the Titans with Albie Morkel joining the Du Plessis.
The pair put on 81 run in 21 overs with Du Plessis going to his century (from 142 balls, including 18 boundaries).
The Warriors, however refused to lie down and they got their man shortly before tea. Jon Jon Smuts the unlikely hero bowling Du Plessis for a magnificent 112. When bad light brought an end to the day, the Titans were on 258/6 with Morkel (44) and David Wiese (16) both at the crease.
Meanwhile, a five-wicket haul for Rory Kleinveldt enabled the Cape Cobras to dismiss the Knights for 218 on the first day of their Supersport Series match in Kimberley yesterday.
Only the veteran Boeta Dippenaar displayed any resistance with a worthy knock of 69 runs.
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