Cape Town - A career-best five-for by Tabraiz Shamsi helped the Titans return to the top of the One-Day Cup standings with a five-wicket bonus-point win over the Highveld Lions in their Jukskei Derby in Benoni on Wednesday night.
The Proteas spinner claimed five for 40 in an excellent 10 overs as the visitors were shot out for just 176 in 43.2 overs, before Rivaldo Moonsamy’s 57 (99 balls, 5 fours) assisted the hosts get home with 70 balls to spare.
It was another clinical win for the champions – their fourth with a bonus point out of five victories this term – and it indeed was Shamsi that set them on their way after another stellar showing that saw him take his tally to 22 wickets in seven games.
His captain, Albie Morkel, had won the toss at the start and opted to bowl first at Willowmoore Park.
The seamers chipped away at the top, but failed to dislodge Lions skipper Stephen Cook, who went on to top score with 89 (120 balls, 6 fours, 1 six), more than half his team’s total.
Rassie van der Dussen (41) was the only other man to record double figures as Shamsi dismissed both on his way to improving on his five for 74 against the same opponents in Johannesburg last year.
Malusi Siboto was the other man to pick up more than one wicket with his two for 18.
With the bat, Andrea Agathangelou (1) fell in the second over, but that was as good as it got for the struggling away side.
Moonsamy dropped anchor on one end with Heinrich Klaasen (34), Tony de Zorzi (24) and Chris Morris (27 not out) helping out to lead the Titans to victory.