Pollard helps Cobras edge Titans

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 16: Kieron Pollard of the Cobras hits a six during the Ram Slam T20 Challenge match between The Unlimited Titans and Nashua Cape Cobras at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on November 16, 2014 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 16: Kieron Pollard of the Cobras hits a six during the Ram Slam T20 Challenge match between The Unlimited Titans and Nashua Cape Cobras at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on November 16, 2014 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

Published Nov 16, 2014

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Durban - West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard starred with bat and ball to help the Cape Cobras stun the Titans by four runs in their Ram Slam T20 Challenge match at Kingsmead on Sunday.

The clash, the first of three at the venue in a triple header, saw the Cape side set 170 after losing the toss and being asked to bat first.

Pollard plundered four sixes in his knock of 56 off 29 deliveries to set his side on their way, before delivering a superb final over that went for six and claimed two wickets to leave the Pretoria side short.

Qaasim Adams with 68 runs off 36 was the star for the Titans, although his efforts proved in vain.

The winless Titans failed to make the most of the overcast conditions.

The Cobras were off to a solid enough start despite losing two wickets in the first five overs - Richard Levi (five) run out thanks to good work from Roelof van der Merwe initially, and then Tabraiz Shamsi and wicketkeeper Mangaliso Mosehle.

Veteran opener Andrew Puttick fell for 14 when he got a leading edge off Darren Sammy to Corbin Bosch at mid-off with the total on 36.

That brought together Dane Vilas (32) and Omphile Ramela (31), who put on 52 together for the third wicket from 6.3 overs.

When the stand was broken on 88 after the former struck Shamsi (2-22) straight to Bosch, the Cape side still had plenty to do.

Things got worse as the latter Ramela departed six runs later - stumped by opposite number Mosehle off Shamsi.

The big-hitting Pollard only managed 18 from his first 17 balls, but then found his range in the final three overs when he bludgeoned 38 from the next 12 to power his side to 169 for six.

In reply, the Titans made a strong start by reaching 26 in four overs, before Theunis de Bruyn pushed George Linde straight to Puttick at short cover for 11.

That spelt the start of a period of trouble for the Pretoria outfit, who lost their other opener Henry Davids (27) and Mosehle (duck) to successive deliveries by Ferisco Adams (3-27) as three wickets fell for 31 in almost seven overs.

But led by Adams, they soon raised the tempo with the 100 raised in the 21-run 14th over bowled by Pollard (2-28) - the batsman reaching his 50 in 25 balls during the same over.

They reduced the deficit to 57 from the final five overs and even after Adams and Dean Elgar (24) departed, victory looked assured thanks to David Wiese's 24 off seven balls.

Eleven were needed from the final over, but Pollard took out both dangermen Wiese and countryman Sammy (six) to seal a memorable win.

Sapa

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