Cape Town - A third career century by Tony de Zorzi helped the Titans storm back and raise their prospects of salvaging a draw from their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Cape Cobras in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The left-hander struck a fine 114 not out (225 balls, 16 fours, 1 six) and was supported perfectly by half centuries from Heinrich Klaasen (79 off 113 balls, 11 fours) and Farhaan Behardien (62 not out off 114 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) with the visitors closing day three on 271 for three.
That left them with a lead of 102 runs - a good turnaround considering the first innings difference between the sides was 169.
The Cobras had a career-best effort from George Linde to thank for getting them up to 456 after the all-rounder amassed an unbeaten 148 (185 balls, 16 fours, 3 sixes).
The Cobras had resumed on 404 for six overnight at Newlands, Linde beginning on 121, but he ran out of partners as Ryan Cartwright finished with four for 87.
The Titans lost two early wickets in the form of Victor Mahlangu (10) and Theunis de Bruyn (0). The pair fell to successive Jason Smith (2/27) balls, but it was one-way traffic from there.
De Zorzi and Klaasen added 143 for the third wicket, followed by a 110-run stand that was unbroken for the next, giving the Titans an excellent chance of saving the game.
- Cricket South Africa