Titans get a hiding in Momentum One-Day Cup series opener
The Titans, who are the defending champions of the local Momentum One-Day Cup tournament, started their campaign last week with a very poor performance against the Lions.
Measured by their own standards, Mandla Mashimbyi and his Titans team will probably be the first to admit that they started the Momentum One-Day Cup series with a very poor effort last week, which resulted in a 73-run defeat against their neighbours, the Lions at SuperSport Park.
After a very average performance by the home team’s bowlers, which allowed the men from Johannesburg to stack 305 runs in 49.4 overs, their batsmen, with the exception of a few players, never really got going.
Half-centuries by Ryan Rickelton (92) and Rassie van der Dussen (65) helped the Lions to make an impressive start to the new Momentum One-Day Cup season.
There were also notable showings with the ball from Beuran Hendricks (4/43) and Aaron Phangiso (3/39) as the Johannesburg-based side put aside their recent red-ball struggles with a dominant display at SuperSport Park.
The result was set up by a big score from the visitors that created pressure on their hosts.
Rickelton led the way for the Lions with his impressive knock, creating all sorts of problems for the Titans.
The left-hander played a key hand after the early loss of opening partner Reeza Hendricks (10), putting on 78 with Temba Bavuma (32) for the second wicket.
He then added 106 with Proteas ace Van der Dussen for the third wicket with the away side turning the screw.
It was only because of regular wickets from there, including an excellent three for 40 by Lungi Ngidi, that stopped the Lions from getting to an even bigger score.
The fast bowler, who is bidding for a return to the national fold, was aided by double strikes from Dayyaan Galiem (2/42) and Tabraiz Shamsi (2/71) that at least ensured their opposition were dismissed in 49.4 overs.
A big start was needed by the reigning champions if they wanted to get the runs to beat their provincial rivals and they got that thanks to Henry Davids (49) and Theunis de Bruyn (48). The pair put on 78 for the second wicket to leave the Titans on 105 for one in the 18th over.
However, Phangiso’s introduction turned up the heat and he first broke the stand, before accounting for Dean Elgar (10) within the space of eight deliveries.
Veteran Davids soon followed, and despite a fighting 41 from captain Heinrich Klaasen, failure by one of the three top-scorers to kick on ultimately cost the home side – their 2020 campaign opener ending with being bowled out in 44.5 overs.
Heinrich Klaasen and his teammates’ second match in the Momentum One-Day Cup tournament will take place at SuperSport Park on Friday when they take on the Dolphins. The action will start at 1:30 p.m.
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