Day 1 of Round 3 of the 4-Day Series has seen some tight contests between bat and ball, but Aiden Markram’s century has to be the main talking point with the opener returning to form at the perfect time.
Titans vs Warriors
Day 1 of Round 3 of the 4-Day Series has seen some tight contests between bat and ball. Proteas Test opener Aiden Markram is continuing to push on, having batted through the entire day. He may have missed out on the ODI and T20I teams for the England series, but his rich form will be critical for the next Test series against Sri Lanka at the end of the year.
In the absence of several Proteas, teams have given game time to several newcomers.
Markram’s confident 12th career century highlights the positive start for his team. As wickets fell at regular stages, he kept the scorecard moving. Rivaldo Moonsamy helped form a solid partnership with Markram, adding 92 together.
Mthiwekhaya Nabe starred with three wickets for the Warriors, but the home side will feel that they’ve come out ahead for the time being.
Titans 272/6 in 62 overs (Markram 149* – Nabe 3/77)
Lions vs Knights
It was quite an eventful affair at the Wanderers, with the Lions bowlers taking control early on, followed by a spirited lower-order bailout for the Knights.
Sisanda Magala took his 10th first-class 5-wicket haul, adding to the proof of his all-format prowess. He frequently generated movement on and off the pitch, which will be key to keeping the visitors at bay.
The Knights were in a precarious situation at 121/5, but a fighting 50 from Mokoena and a tremendous counterattack from Migael Pretorius helped achieve the improbable and approach 300.
Pretorius is coming off another crucial half-century in the previous game against the Dolphins. He may be relatively better known for his bowling, but his batting seems to have improved quite drastically, which bodes well for the Knights.
Knights 291/9 in 80.2 overs (Migael Pretorius 73*, Grant Mokoena 50 – Sisanda Magala 5/57)
Dolphins vs Cobras
A stellar team effort with the bat has ensured that the Dolphins are in prime position at home against the Cape Cobras.
Since Grant Roelofsen struggled in the first two games when opening the batting, Senuran Muthusamy earned his first opportunity at the top of the order. Muthusamy looked stoic and confident throughout his stay, scoring a vital 79 and nearly batted the whole day.
Captain Marques Ackerman further boosted his chances at Test cricket with another quick but classy half-century, and another half-century from Khaya Zondo put the home side comfortably in front.
Four Cobras bowlers shared a wicket apiece, but the Dolphins were hardly perturbed on what was a very productive outing.
Dolphins 277/5 in 88.4 overs (Muthusamy 79, Ackerman 66, Zondo 60* – Savage 1/26)
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix
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