Pieter Malan returned to form with his 33^rd career century as the Cape Cobras dominated day one of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Momentum Multiply Titans in Centurion on Monday. After the Titans won the toss and elected to field first, the Proteas opener, who had managed just one half-century in his six previous innings this season, struck a timely 125 (221 balls, 20 fours) that helped the visitors reach stumps at SuperSport Park on 351 for five. Malan was well supported by an Aviwe Mgjima, who fell deep in the day for 86 (143 balls, 14 fours), together with starts from all the other Cobras’ batsmen. In the end, the Cobras’ entire top order all made a good contribution in a way. Jonathan Bird (22) opened the batting with Malan for the first time this season and the former South Africa Under-19 star put on 76 with his more senior partner to give their side a solid start. Then came a 60-run second wicket stand between skipper Zubayr Hamza (28) and Malan, with 53 following between the latter and Tony de Zorzi (29). Malan was next part of the biggest partnership of the day – 90 with Mgjima – for the fourth wicket, before he was eventually sent on his way by Dayyaan Galiem (1/75). Sixty-seven then followed from the bats of Mgjima and Calvin Savage (40), with their stand ended by Thomson (1/11) 15 minutes from the close. In the first session of day two, the Cobras’ tail-end batsmen added another 60 runs, giving them a final first-innings total of 411. Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar then opened the Titans’ first innings and by lunchtime the home team was at 31 with Markram at 22 and Elgar at 9.  

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