SuperSport Series
Titans, Dolphins duel heats up
2009-10-24 19:34
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Centurion - The Supersport Series match between the Titans and the Dolphins at Supersport Park appeared to be headed for an exciting finish, after the Titans ended the third day's play on Saturday on 187 for seven in their second innings, for an overall lead of 214.
The Titans needed just over 20 minutes on Saturday morning to wrap up the Dolphins innings, with the visitors all out for 288. Dale Steyn took four wickets for 30 runs and Ethy Mbhalati and Morne Morkel took two each.
But the Dolphins struck back immediately, with the Titans tottering on 14 for three after 12 overs.
The hosts went to lunch on 42 for three, but Faf du Plessis and Farhaan Behardien did much to restore some stability with a partnership of 50 runs off 116 balls before Johan Louw trapped Behardien leg before wicket for 12.
Du Plessis then shared a fifth wicket partnership of 79 with Albie Morkel.
They appeared to be taking the Titans to a strong position until Louw claimed his third wicket of the day, with Morkel caught by Andrew Hall for 46.
Du Plessis's 11th first class half century came up off 135 balls and included just three boundaries, but he was playing an important anchor role for the home side.
He and Mangaliso Mosehle put on 40 runs together, but their partnership ended when Mosehle was run out for 18 by some deft fielding by Quinton Friend and Cameron Delport, who was standing in as wicketkeeper.
Two balls later, Du Plessis was caught by Delport off Daryn Smit, who had handed over the wicketkeeping gloves so that he could turn his arm. De Plessis made 73 off 213 deliveries.
At close of play, Morne Morkel and Paul Harris were both not out on one, and from a reasonably strong position, the Titans were down to their tail-enders.
Play was called off early because of bad light, and will start half an hour early on Sunday.