JOHANNESBURG - Aiden Markram’s third century in three innings together with a career-best ton from Neil Brand ensured the Titans and the Cape Cobras were almost inseparable after three days of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter in Centurion on Wednesday.
The Proteas opener, who scored 149 and 121 in his previous two outings, followed that with 113 (192 balls, 17 fours) at SuperSport Park where the hosts replied to the visitors’ 411 with 440, a lead of 29.
Brand, playing in his seventh franchise match, bettered his career-best 106 recorded against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at the same venue last season with 115 (278 balls, 17 fours) as the Titans were dismissed late in the day.
There was also an attacking 55 off 54 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) by Sibonelo Makhanya, while Calvin Savage finished as the pick of the bowlers with five for 77.
The Cobras then faced nine overs in their reply, reaching 33 without loss and a lead of four.
But the day was mainly about Markram as he continued his rich run of form with a 14th career ton.
Brand too made his mark as he completed his third hundred in first-class cricket – the pair starting the day together at 136 for one and extending their partnership to 178 for the second wicket by the time it was broken by Savage with the score on 210.
Theunis de Bruyn followed Markram with 35, Makhanya added his quick-fire half-century and Dayyaan Galiem struck 38, before the innings finally ended after 134.4 overs.
Ziyaad Abrahams (2/64) and Corbin Bosch (2/92) also grabbed two wickets each.
Pieter Malan (12) and Jonathan Bird (19) faced a tricky 40 minutes before the close, ensuring there was no drama as the two teams cancelled each other out.