Titans strangle Cobras, share spoils with Dolphins in Benoni

Only one of the two Benoni T20 matches were played.

April 16, 2019

Logan Green 2 minutes read

Protea batsman Hashim Amla has been desperate to find some form ahead of the national team selection for the Cricket World Cup. He was dealt a blow to his selection chances on Wednesday in Benoni as he was dismissed with just two runs to his name while batting for the Cape Cobras.

The Multiply Titans managed to play only one of their two scheduled Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Challenge matches at Willowmoore Park last week.

They picked up a bonus-point seven-wicket victory in the first match on April 10 when they welcomed the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras to their second home in Benoni on a chilly evening, but couldn’t even perform the coin toss two days later when the Hollywoodbets Dolphins came to the East Rand on April 12 due to wet weather.

The teams were left frustrated on Friday night by the weather in Benoni as not a single ball was bowled at Willowmoore Park after persistent rain made it difficult for any action to take place.

It meant the game was called off just over an hour after it was due to begin at 6pm.

Before that, on Wednesday night, a measured half-century by Henry Davids laid the platform for Titans to claim their first win of the CSA T20 Challenge season.

The veteran opener struck 57 runs off 39 balls (eight fours and a six), batting for 14 overs, as the hosts chased down a 151-victory target with 26 balls to spare.

There were also useful contributions by Theunis de Bruyn (29 runs off 13 balls) and Diego Rosier (43 not out off 27 balls) – the defending champions making light work of a tricky target at Willowmoore Park.

Coach Mark Boucher’s side were excellent throughout on the East Rand, and after winning the toss and bowling, they chipped away regularly to keep the Cobras in check.

Shaun von Berg (1/18) and the double-handed Gregory Mahlokwana (1/19) were excellent, while Eldred Hawken (1/39) picked up the key wicket of Hashim Amla (2) early on.There were 20s from Janneman Malan (22), Simon Khomari (20) and Vernon Philander (22 not out), while Kyle Verreynne struck an impressive 44 off 38 before taking a blow from a Junior Dala delivery that forced him to retire hurt.