The Titans claimed the 4-Day Series title against their bitter rivals the Lions, passing their target of 62 runs in 13.1 overs to claim a 7-wicket win on the final day.
The 4-Day competition was poised for an exciting ending – A Jukskei Derby to decide who takes the crown.
The log table was as follows:
It’s 13:30 pm and I start deciphering the permutations:
- If Warriors win, they will finish 1st.
- If Warriors draw and Titans v Lions is a draw, Warriors will
- finish 1st
- If Lions beat Titans and Warriors don’t win, Lions will finish
- 1st.
- If Titans beat Lions and Warriors don’t win, Titans will finish
- 1st.
- If Titans v Lions is a draw and Warriors lose, Lions will
- finish 1st.
After losing their opening fixture and drawing their second, the Titans went on an impressive unbeaten run at the backend of the tournament. When they won, they won big – by eight wickets or an innings victory.
Very contrasting to their opponents in the final round of the completion, the Lions. The Gauteng-based side dominated in the first 4 games – they smashed every team they faced. They beat North West, the Warriors, Boland by an innings and the Knights by 10 wickets. However, losing some important Proteas players at the back end of the tournament saw them lose and draw the next two games.
It all came down to the final day of the final round.
With the Warriors’ game on a knife’s edge in Bloemfontein, a final was also in progress at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
The home side dominated with the bat. The Lions posted 270 in their first innings, thanks to a brilliant maiden 4-Day Series century from Mitchell van Buuren (103).
In response, the Titans posted 482, a 95-run partnership between Neil Brand (81) and Theunis de Bruyn key to setting up the innings. Despite De Bruyn losing his partner, he managed to score 143 – a vital knock to put his side in a decent lead.
A half-century from Corbin Bosch and cameos from his other teammates ensured that the Lions would have their work cut out for them.
Another century from Van Buuren (107) ensured that the Lions stayed in the game, but Simon Harmer (6-84) served a six-for to his guests to ensure that their stay remained unpleasant.
The Titans gave themselves just under two sessions to reach their target of 62 and did all that they could do, to win the 4-Day Series title.
Despite losing three wickets, the Titans managed to complete their objective. Grant Mokoena remained not out on 21 to see his team over the line by 7 wickets.
There was still a full session and a bit of cricket still left in the day.
At the Mangaung Oval, the Warriors refused to take their hand off the trophy despite their match being heavily affected by rain.
The game was most likely going to end in a draw, but the visitors’ fight must be appreciated. The Knights scored 227, the Warriors declared on 166/3d and had the Knights eight down for 82 when tea was called thanks to more rain.
The Knights’ lead was 143 and the Warriors needed a miracle to find time to clean up the opposition with enough time left to chase.
Mthiwekhaya Nabe took four wickets.
The game was called a draw due to continuous rain with an outcome deemed improbable.
The Titans were as a result named 4-Day Series champions.
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
