Johannesburg – The Cape Cobras bounced back to the top of the log with a crushing nine-wicket victory over the Titans on the third day of their Sunfoil Series match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Saturday.
The Cobras were in control of the match throughout, dismissing the Titans for 194 in their first innings, and then replying with 373, for a first innings lead of 194.
The Titans struggled again in their second innings, and at one stage appeared unlikely to force the Cobras to bat again. Only Francois le Clus (50) and Farhaan Beehardien (48) made any meaningful totals, as Johann Louw, Beuran Hendrick and Justin Kemp helped themselves to wickets seemingly at will. The Titans were finally all out for 195 in their second innings, setting the Cobras a meagre target of 17 runs to win.
Alistair Gray was forced to retire hurt after facing just one ball, and Andrew Puttick was caught by Graeme van Buuren off Juan de Villiers for four, but first innings centurion Stiaan van Zyl and captain Justin Ontong saw their team safely home.
At Kingsmead in Durban, the Dolphins needed just 12 overs and one ball on Saturday morning to knock off the 46 runs required to beat the Warriors.
The hosts took command of the match on the first day, when they dismissed the visitors for a paltry 92, with Mthokozisi Shezi grabbing five wickets for 28 runs.
The Dolphins replied with 245 and then dismissed the Warriors for 198 in their second innings at the stroke of stumps on the second day.
The Warriors salvaged some pride by ensuring that the Dolphins did not achieve a 10-wicket victory when Andrew Birch bowled Divan van Wyk for 10 in the fifth over, but Imraan Khan and Jonathan Vandiar made sure that their team cruised past the winning post.
The defeat almost certainly means that the Warriors are out of the running for title honours. – Sapa