Sunfoil Series, Day 1
Cape Cobras 235 (Van Zyl 65, Ontong 45, Von Berg 5/88)
Titans 108/1 (20.0 ov) (Markram 58*, Mokoena 39*, Kleinveldt 1/26)
Last week, over 1 000 runs were scored for the loss of just 14 wickets over four days at Newlands. Yesterday 11 wickets tumbled on the opening day of the Sunfoil Series clash between the Cape Cobras and the Titans.
Unfortunately for the home supporters, 10 of them belonged to the Cobras with Titans leg-spinner Shaun von Berg claiming half of them. The burly leggie tore through the Cobra's middle and lower order after David Wiese had made the initial double breakthrough.
Wiese removed the Cobras centurions of last week Omphile Ramela and Andrew Puttick with just 29 runs on the board. Without the experienced opening pair to set the platform, the remainder of the Cobras batsmen failed to absorb the pressure.
Jason Smith was Von Berg’s first victim with the young all-rounder left stranded after advancing down the wicket. The Cobras’ situation would have been a lot worse was it not for a 92-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Stiaan van Zyl and Justin Ontong.
But just when their partnership threatened to resurrect the Cobras’ innings, Von Berg struck again when he had Ontong caught for 45. Ontong’s exit proved unsettling for Van Zyl, who brought up his fifty off 102 balls, with the left-hander succumbing a few overs later to the ball spinning the other way from off-spinner Henry Davids.
Von Berg duly wrapped up the tail with the further dismissals of Dane Piedt, Rory Kleinveldt and last-man Dane Paterson to complete the 18th ‘five-for’ of his first-class career. Medium-pacer Junior Dala, along with Wiese, also chipped in with two wickets.
The Cobras bowlers’ did not enjoy a much better afternoon with the defending champions walking to the crease with a great deal of intent. The visitors rollicked along at over five runs to the over, bringing up their 100 in just 18.2 overs.
In the other game that started yesterday, openers Sarel Erwee and Imraan Khan both hit half-centuries but the Dolphins failed to capitalise on the platform they laid as they reached stumps against the Knights on 285/9 in Durban.