Cobras beat Titans in thriller

Durban - Kieron Pollard has provided the late-order fireworks and then held his nerve with the ball to see the Cape Cobras record a four-run victory over the Titans in the first game of Sunday’s RAM SLAM T20 triple-header at Kingsmead.

Pollard’s unbeaten 56 from just 29 balls (4x6s, 3x4s) powered the Cobras to a handy total of 169 for six after they were put in to bat, but the Titans rallied from a poor start to go into the final over needing 11 to win.

Cobras captain Justin Ontong had no hesitation in throwing the ball to Pollard, despite the fact that his previous over had been hit for 21 by Qaasim Adams.

It appeared as though the Titans would pick up their first victory of the competition when David Wiese (24 off 8 balls) hit Pollard’s first delivery for six, leaving five required off five balls.

However, Pollard had both Wiese and Darren Sammy caught at long-on and also bowled three dot balls to give the Cobras the points from a tight game.

Pollard’s contribution with the bat was equally crucial, as he made sure of a defendable score after a stuttering innings by the Cobras.

Dane Vilas (32) and Omphile Ramela (31) were the only other batsmen to getting going as left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (2 for 22) put in a wily spell for the Titans, but Pollard’s blitz saw the Cobras take 58 from the final four overs.

When the Titans fell to 43 for three in the eighth over of their reply, with Ferisco Adams (3 for 27) doing the early damage, it appeared as though the Cobras would walk the game.

But Qaasim Adams hammered five sixes on his way to 68 from 36 balls to bring the Titans back into the game, and after he was caught behind off the bowling of Dane Paterson, Wiese continued the assault.

Pollard held his nerve though, to put the Cobras back on track after their loss to the Lions on Friday.