Titans wrap up victory with no trouble

THE TITANS wasted little time yesterday as they wrapped up a 202-run win over the Warriors in the morning session on the fourth and final day of their Supersport Series match in Benoni.

Resuming their second innings at 155/6, the Warriors needed 301 runs to win with only four wickets remaining.

Top-order batsman JJ Smuts fought a lone battle and the visitors fell well short of their target when they were bowled out for 253.

Part-time spinner Faf du Plessis bagged 4/47, for an eightwicket haul in the match, and removed the tail as the hosts coasted to victory.

Smuts, who made a half-century in the Warriors’ first innings, was unbeaten on 143 – his eighth first-class century – but ran out of partners before lunch.

Du Plessis and Albie Morkel, who both got centuries in the Titans’ first innings and half centuries in their second, shared the Man of the Match award.

Morkel, who also contributed with the ball, taking five wickets in the game, has been called up to the Proteas’ ODI squad, joining teammate Du Plessis, for their series against Sri Lanka starting in Paarl on Wednesday.

The Titans climbed one place to second in the domestic firstclass standings, while the Warriors were left flailing second from bottom.

Meanwhile, Veteran seamer Justin Kemp and wicketkeeper Dane Vilas rounded out sterling Supersport Series performances in Kimberley on Saturday as the Cape Cobras steamrollered the Knights.

Trailing by 214 runs in their second innings at the start of the third day, with a full bag of wick- ets in hand, the Knights were bundled out for 160 shortly before tea.

The Cobras secured victory by an innings and 54 runs as they closed in on the hosts at the top of the domestic top-flight table.

Kemp ripped through the Knights’ middle order, returning 5/31 – his sixth first-class fivewicket haul – as the Knights were strangled in their efforts to build momentum.

Vilas was again in form behind the stumps, taking a further four catches to go with his six in the first innings.

The 26-year-old ’keeper, who had smashed 187 runs on day two to put the Cobras in control, has taken 28 dismissals in six matches – the most in the competition.

The Cobras are top of the standings, with a game in hand, while the Knights are in third place. – Sapa