Titans stars show character with great win against Cobras in Cape Town
Brilliant centuries by two of the Titans' national players helped the team kick off the 4-Day Domestic Series with a victory over the Cobras in Cape Town.
A composed century by Theunis de Bruyn together with a defiant unbeaten 41 from Junior Dala paved the way for the Momentum Multiply Titans to complete a thrilling two-wicket win over the Six Gun Grill Cape Cobras on the final day of their 4-Day Domestic Series opener in Cape Town on Thursday.
De Bruyn’s 127 in the second innings – a true innings of a fighter – followed another Proteas player, Dean Elgar’s, solid performance in the team’s first innings, when his 101 runs saved the Titans’ honour.
Chasing a tricky 316 for victory, the visitors began the final day well-placed at 195 for three, but the loss of some early wickets tilted the balance in favour of the hosts.
Proteas batsman De Bruyn carried their hopes with his 14th career first-class century, though, as he went on to record that excellent 127 from 204 balls, including 13 fours and one six.
But De Bruyn fell when 29 were still needed, setting up a nervous finish for the Titans, who eventually squeezed over the line thanks to Dala’s fighting 85-ball vigil, which included six boundaries.
Photo: Titans
The result completed a fine comeback for Mandla Mashimbyi’s side, who were well behind the game when they were bowled out for 150 in the first innings at Newlands.
But they stormed back well in the second innings, that had begun well on day three of the 2020/21 season opener thanks to Dean Elgar, who followed his ton in the first innings with 58, as well as 48 by Aiden Markram.
That had given them a century start and De Bruyn built well on that on the final morning, despite wickets falling around him.
Three were lost relatively early in the day when Sibonelo Makhanya (4), Grant Thomson (4) and Diego Rosier (1) fell for the addition of 38 runs.
George Linde (4/123) claimed two of those wickets as he ended with nine wickets in the match.
At that stage, though, it left the Titans on 233/6, but a stand key partnership of 54 between De Bruyn and Dala raised hopes, before the former became a victim of David Schierhout (1/33).
Eventually, Dala plugged away, and despite the late loss of Lizaad Williams (8) to Ziyaad Abrahams (3/50), the Titans got home at the end of an extended morning session.
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