A competition record fourth-wicket stand of 350 between Rassie van der Dussen and Wiaan Lubbe helped the Highveld Lions dominate the opening day of the Jukskei derby again the Titans in Potchefstroom on Monday.
Both hit big career-best centuries as the hosts recovered from 12/3 after winning the toss and batting to post a mammoth 385/5 by the close.
Van der Dussen crunched 175 off 257 balls (26 fours, 2 sixes) – his 15th career ton, and one that surpassed his previous best score of 166.
Lubbe, meanwhile, notched up his maiden three-figure score at franchise level by making 166 (267 balls, 19 fours, 4 sixes), which was also the fourth century of his young career.
Their partnership came after the inexperienced champions had rocked the top-order through two wickets from Eldred Hawken (2/60) and one by Matthew Arnold (1/73) that had left the Lions in a huge hole after only 7.3 overs.
Proteas pair Stephen Cook (0) and Temba Bavuma (10) were amongst the wickets to fall prior to the recovery that saw Van der Dussen and Lubbe break a 12-year-old fourth-wicket record of 264 between Albie Morkel and Justin Kemp.
Team Work: Rassie van der Dussen and Wihan Lubbe - the #LionsCharge are proud! 🦁 #4DaySeries #LIOvTTN pic.twitter.com/bMZdRFghAr
— Lions Cricket (@LionsCricketSA) October 29, 2018
The Titans did fight back late in the day when Clayton August (2/72) removed both set men, but day one of the derby undoubtedly went the way of the home side at Senwes Park.
Stumps Day 1: GO LIONS! 🦁 #LionsCharge #4DaySeries #LIOvTTN pic.twitter.com/4qiIrLvlvv
— Lions Cricket (@LionsCricketSA) October 29, 2018