Knights push the boundaries to win
The Unlimited Titans lost the inaugural match of the Ehlanzeni Challenge at Uplands College, White River by two wickets against the VKB Knights in a 50-over clash that went down to the wire.
The Titans went in to bat first and were bowled out for 189, about 30 runs short of a par-score on the surface.
Mangaliso Mosehle, wicketkeeper-batsman of the Titans, hammered 43 while Dean Elgar, South African test opener, contributed 40.
The Knights scored the winning total of 190 for eight with two wickets standing.
Leg-spinner of the hosts, Shaun von Berg, took three for 41 in 10 overs. Von Berg has adapted his pace the past couple of seasons and has generally operated at about five kilometres per hour quicker than his previous average of 80 kilometres per hour.
On Thursday he quickly realised that the pitch required him to operate at between 77 kilometres per hour and 80 kilometres per hour, and it worked a treat.
Occasionally, he bowled some quicker variations which trapped two Knights batsmen in front.
He forced them to take chances, and on a few occasions their high-risk approach brought them boundaries.
It was however, not enough and the Knights claimed the trophy.
Titans all-rounder, Albie Morkel has been called up to the Proteas squad to replace the injured David Wiese for the three-match T20 International series against India starting in Dharamshala next Fri day. Wiese fractured his finger while playing for the Titans.
Uplands College, in conjunction with Casterbridge Hollow and Magnolia Restaurant, recently signed a three-year contract with The Unlimited Titans.
