DURBAN – The Titans put their foot down on day two of their Sunfoil Series opener against the Dolphins in Centurion as they marched to a lead of 219 runs by the end of Wednesday.
Having dominated day one completely, the home side piled on the runs on the second morning as they cantered to 451/7.
The Dolphins would have hoped to make early inroads into the Titans’ tail, but they found former skipper Henry Davids (57) in a mean mood.
To have the experienced and attacking Davids walk in at number seven shows the immense depth that the Titans have, and the Dolphins were further frustrated by the so-called tail wagging alongside the former captain.
Malusi Siboto saw fit to help himself to an obdurate 40 not out as the Titans eventually settled for a cavernous 451/7 declared.
Robbie Frylinck ended with fine figures of 4/71, but the Proteas pair of Keshav Maharaj and Andile Phehlukwayo were blunted by the powerful Titans batting card.
In reply, the Dolphins lost Sarel Erwee early, and never really got going. Vaughn van Jaarsveld, still in good touch after a winter playing local cricket, sped to 53 off 63 balls, but got out just when he looked to be the man to mount a riposte for the men from Durban.
Cody Chetty, with 41 off 78 balls, also flattered to deceive, making a start that he couldn’t build into something more substantial.
Skipper Khaya Zondo fell into the same category, doing the hard work to get to 39 off 63 deliveries, and then falling away.
Not to be outdone, Andile Phehlukwayo – earmarked by some as a potential Test cap against Bangladesh – wasted a hard-working 37 off 62 balls as he was bowled by the part-time offerings of Davids late in the day.
That saw the Dolphins end the day on 232/6, still 219 runs in arrears, with former skipper Morné van Wyk still holding vigil.
The first priority for the Dolphins will be to avoid the follow-on, before trying to minimise the deficit they are likely to concede to the home side. Rowan Richards (2/47) and Siboto (2/33) did the damage for the Titans, while Protea ace Morné Morkel started the rot with the new ball.
As it was on day one, the Titans are in the ascendancy, and it is the Dolphins who are on the back foot.
Brief Scores
Titans 451/7 declared – Aiden Markram 119, Faf du Plessis 96; Robbie Frylinck 4/71
Dolphins 232/6 – Vaughn van Jaarsveld 53, Cody Chetty 41; Malusi Siboto 2/33
Titans lead by 219 runs
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