Titans lost in Paarl, but remains on course for semi-final in T20 tournament
Although the weather has so far worked against the Titans in the CSAT20 tournament, they can be thankful that the weather was in their favour on Wednesday when the match between the Knights and the Dolphins in Bloemfontein had to be cancelled.
A thrilling 30-ball 55 by Aviwe Mgijima helped the Cape Cobras consolidate their position at the top of the CSA T20 Challenge table with a narrow three-wicket win over the Multiply Titans at Boland Park in Paarl on Wednesday.
The right-hander struck three sixes and three fours for his best career score in a high-scoring affair that saw the 182 for three set by the defending champions chased down with seven balls to spare.
The home side had briefly lost top position earlier in the evening when the Warriors thumped the Highveld Lions, but regained their spot with a composed victory that put them two points clear with two round-robin games remaining.
Although the Titans are still in fourth place on the log after the defeat (which means that their fate is still in their own hands, depending on the weather), they can be grateful that Wednesday night’s match between the Knights and the Dolphins in Bloemfontein had to be cancelled due to rain. An outcome in this game in Bloemfontein could have put the Titans’ fourth place on the log under severe pressure.
In Paarl the Cobras won the toss and put the Titans in to bat, but Mark Boucher’s side responded by amassing a healthy total.
This was thanks in the main to Tony de Zorzi’s 70 off 47 balls as well as a half-century from Theunis de Bruyn (50 off 37 balls).
Farhaan Behardien also provided some fireworks at the end with an unbeaten 39 off 18 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.
After the early loss of Hashim Amla (3), Janneman Malan and David Bedingham struck 37 apiece in a 63-run second-wicket stand that helped the Cobras motor along to 83 for one in the ninth over.
Disaster then struck when Shaun von Berg (1/22) hit back to break the stand, before Junior Dala (3/32) nabbed two wickets in four balls to alter the course of the game.
It was suddenly 86 for four, but Mgijima and Jason Smith (28 off 18 balls) rebuilt with a stand worth 59 for the fifth wicket.
By the time the partnership ended, just under 40 were needed from the last five overs, with Mgjima ticking along quickly to carry his side over the line.
The Titans’ last two games in the series will be played on their home ground in Centurion. If they win both, they will qualify for the semi-final. With some luck (depending on the Lions and Warriors results), the Titans can even qualify for a home semi-final.
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