Toothless Cobras routed by Titans
CAPE SIDE SERVE UP A LIMP DISPLAY Lions leave it late to see off the Dolphins in Potchefstroom.
The Titans continued their superb form in the early stages of the domestic T20 Challenge after they cruised to a seven-wicket win over the Cape Cobras in Centurion yesterday.
It’s been a shocking start to the campaign for the Cobras, who boast some of the foremost Protea talent in the tournament.
Yet coach Ashwell Prince simply hasn’t been able to gel a bunch of superstars with reliable domestic performers.
The Capetonians looked extremely nervy with the bat as they fumbled their way to an inadequate 119/9 after being sent in.
Dale Steyn continued his steady improvement with an excellent spell of 2/16 off his fourover quota.
The Cobras especially struggled against the web spun by Tabraiz Shamsi, who also only conceded four runs per over in claiming 1/16, while Lungi Ngidi (2/32) and Malusi Siboto (2/16) were effective as well.
Only skipper JP Duminy’s battling 40 off 43 managed to keep the visitors afloat ... barely.
Vernon Philander’s (2/31) superb opening spell accounted for both the dangerous Quinton de Kock and Henry Davids but that hopeful start was quickly eroded.
Wayne Parnell and Mthiwekhaya Nabe were hit for 19 and 15 off their first overs respectively as AB de Villiers (37 off 22) went on the attack.
His stint with Aiden Markram made the game safe though the Cobras could have had a chance if they just did some basics well.
Markram survived a comical run out after he ended up at Farhaan Behardien’s end, only to scamper back after Temba Bavuma missed a shy at the stumps and no-one was backing up to collect the throw.
The Proteas Test opener was also dropped by George Linde before completing an otherwise fine unbeaten 51 off 36 balls.
Nabe’s woeful attempt at stopping a Behardien edge for four summed up a pitiful Cobras showing.
In Potchefstroom, Reeza Hendricks’ majestic 102 off 72 guided the Highveld Lions to a six-wicket win against the Dolphins.
But the hosts just managed to survive a massive choke after 19-year-old Wiaan Mulder hit a four off the last ball with three needed.
They had needed 15 off 12 with nine wickets standing.
Earlier, the Dolphins recovered from 116/6 to reach 168.