Johannesburg – A superb six-wicket haul from Ayabulela Gqamane helped the Warriors destroy defending champions the Titans by 10 wickets inside three days of their Sunfoil Series clash in Pretoria on Saturday.
The rookie fast bowler, who made a storming 11-wicket debut against the Highveld Lions last month, collected six for 40 at Centurion as the hosts were blown away for just 204 in their second innings.
It did mean they forced the visitors to bat again, but with a measly target of 14 to get, there was no stopping the Eastern Cape franchise from a massive win.
The Titans had begun the day with plenty to do in their second innings after the Warriors had amassed a 191 first innings lead.
They began well enough with 76 added for the first wicket by top-scorer Pieter Malan (55) and Mangaliso Mosehle (46), with an equally productive second-wicket stand between the former and captain Henry Davids (36) taking the home side to 138 for one.
At that stage, the match appeared poised to go into a fourth day, but the fall of Malan, who was bowled by Chris Jonker (2/ 21), changed the momentum.
The opener was one of nine wickets to fall for the addition of just 66 runs as the Titans slumped to a fourth loss in five games this season.
Gqamane, 23, who struck a magnificent career-best 86 batting at number 10 on Friday, was the catalyst of the collapse during a magical 13.2 over spell to take his season tally to 20 wickets in just three games.
Gurshwin Rabie (2/49) took the other wickets to fall as the second-placed Warriors closed the gap on leaders Cape Cobras at the summit of the table. – Sapa