Johannesburg -
Despite a late cameo by Chris Morris the Lions fell to a one run defeat to the Titans in their One-Day Cup match at the Wanderers on Friday.
Set 302 for victory, the Lions produced a measured chase with number three Rassie van der Dussen scoring 92 from 106 providing the platform for the home side. Morris came in with the score on 240 for 5, and the push for the win by the Lions seemingly over.
It came down to the final over from Titans bowler David Wiese with Aaron Phangiso and Morris needing 19 for the win for the Lions. Phangiso managed two fours edged through the vacant third man area. A six off over long off, off the penultimate delivery by Morris meant the Lions needed three to win from the final ball. Morris, however, fell just short of a spectacular win as the Titans held on for the narrowest of victories.
Opening the Lions innings, Quinton de Kock looked good for his 22 before missing a straight one from Marchant de Lange, and was trapped lbw as the Lions lost their first wicket on 46 in the 10th over.
The wicket meant Van der Dussen joined captain Stephen Cook in the middle and they shared a stand of 111 before Cook was out for 67 to the bowling of Ethy Mbhalati as he misjudged a rising delivery and played on.
The breakthrough brought the vastly experienced Neil Mckenzie to the wicket. McKenzie after working the ball around reached 21 at almost a run a ball, before he tried a third unsuccessful sweep, and was clean bowled by Roelof van der Merwe in the 38th over.
Van der der Dussen was next to depart for a well played 92 from a 106 balls including 12 fours and a six.
Jean Symes entered the scene but did not last long. He was out to the bowling of Richards for 20 off 17 balls, skying a shot to deep mid wicket taken by Jacques Rudolph.
Earlier, the Titans launched right from the start with Rudolph smashing two boundaries, square of the wicket, off Hardus Viljoen in the opening over.
Henry Davids and Rudolph continued to score freely and reached 50 in the 9th over. The Lions attack continued to be taken apart with Davids especially harsh on the home bowlers as he notched up his 50 from just 40 balls.
Rudolph brought up his fifty in the 17th over which included eight fours.
Davids, however, did not add many more to his total as he attempted to hit a short Tsotsobe delivery over square for six only to find Phangiso out in the deep for 58 in the 18th over.
Rudolph fell in soft fashion to Tsotsobe as he played a late cut straight into the hands of McKenzie with the score on 143 for 2.
Pillay was to have the last laugh as Kuhn edged a shorter delivery straight to keeper De Kock off the final ball of his the 21st over.
Van der Merwe was out shortly after he came to the crease for one.
A 55 run fifth wicket partnership was broken when van Buuren was bowled by Phangiso for 25 and left the Titans on 211 for 5.
After the loss of van Buuren,Farhaan Behardien joined forces with David Wiese to compile a 73 run stand to get the Titans to 284 in the 47th over.
The visitors then lost their final four wickets for 17 runs to leave the Lions chasing 302 for victory. - Sapa