Two defeats hamper Titans’ chances in the Momentum One-Day Cup
The Titans' campaign in the Momentum One Day Cup tournament suffered a setback last week when Mandla Mashimbyi's men were beaten twice despite excellent performances by returning Aiden Markram.
It’s certainly not Aiden Markram’s fault that the Titans’ chances of qualifying for the semi-final of the Momentum One-Day Cup tournament were hampered last week.
After his recovery from injury, Markram was the top performer for the Titans in their two matches respectively on Thursday against the Dolphins in Durban and Sunday against the Knights in Bloemfontein. In both these matches, he excelled with the ball and bat.
Against the Dolphins, he was brilliant with the ball and his bowling figures (3/49) in nine overs was the best performance of the Titans’ bowlers. Furthermore, he scored 36 runs with the bat.
On Sunday in Bloemfontein, Markram hit 103 runs off just 94 balls in the Titans’ innings, while he again performed best among the bowlers with 2/39 in seven overs.
Unfortunately, Markram’s efforts in both games were not enough to give his team victories.
Rain, which brought the Duckworth & Lewis method into effect, as well as aggressive batting by the home team’s two middle-order batsmen, Khaya Zondo (60 off 52 balls) and Sibonelo Makhanya (60 off 40 balls) helped pave the way for the Dolphins to beat the Titans by 35 runs.
Thanks to the contribution of Zondo and Makhanya, the Dolphins were able to maintain a run rate of 6.16, which was beyond the Titans’ ability after the break due to rain.
In addition, Keshav Maharaj (3/49 in 8.4) and Daryn Dupavillion (2/39 in 9) ensured with superb bowling that the Titans could never build sound partnerships.
– On Sunday in Bloemfontein Grant Thomson and his men were in a strong position when they went in to bat first and scored 307 runs thanks to Markram’s 103 and another century by Diego Rosier, who knocked 112 off 108 balls.
In the process Markram and Rosier put on a franchise record of 196 together for the second wicket.
However, the Knights’ Andries Gous had other plans. A scintillating career-best century by the opening batsman was the catalyst for the Knights to chase down the runs and beat the Titans by six wickets.
Gous’ fourth ton at this level helped the central franchise to record their highest successful run chase in history.
The Titans will have to avoid unnecessary defeats like this in their remaining four games if they still want to defend their title as champion.
Their next match is on Friday in Benoni against the Warriors.
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