Neil McKenzie scored his 32nd first class century as the Highveld Lions made their way to 375 for five on the opening day of their Supersport Series match against the Titans at Willowmoore Park on Thursday.
The Titans -? currently second on the log, behind the Cape Cobras -? fielded a team that looked very different from the squad announced on Wednesday, with four senior players -? captain Pierre Joubert, bowlers Ethy Mbhalati and Paul Harris and all-rounder Francois du Plessis - all missing.
Titans management explained that Joubert had taken ill overnight, Harris had been withdrawn by Cricket South Africa and the other two both had injuries. Their absence meant that three young players - Hardus Viljoen, Shaun von Berg and Cobus Pienaar all made their Supersport debuts.
The Lions won the toss and chose to bat. Stephen Cook and Alviro Petersen got the visitors off to a good start, with an opening partnership of 80 before Pienaar claimed his first wicket, with Cook caught behind by Heino Kuhn for 51 -? his 21st half century. The Lions went to lunch on 102 for one.
Two wickets fell after the break, with Jonathan Vandiar caught by Kuhn off Pienaar for 49, and captain Alviro Petersen caught at mid-wicket by Pieter Malan off Von Berg for 79. They shared a second wicket partnership of 93.
The Lions never seemed troubled by the Titans attack, and made their runs at a steady four an over. McKenzie looked in supreme command and hit 18 boundaries on is way to his century, which came off just 110 balls.
McKenzie was recently dropped as captain of the Lions, but his demotion appears to have had no adverse effect on his skill with the bat.
However, soon after he reached the landmark, Kuhn took a superb diving catch to dismiss McKenzie for 103 and give Viljoen his maiden Supersport wicket.
Earlier, Mandla Mashimbyi had dismissed Vaughn van Jaarsveld, caught Von Berg, for 23.
The Titans bowlers toiled long and hard in the hot sun for little reward.
Pienaar was the most successful, taking two for 67, with Viljoen, Von Berg and Mashimbyi claiming on wicket each. - Sapa