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Cobras set for big lead

Cape Town - The table-topping Cape Cobras dominated the first day’s play of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Titans at Newlands on Thursday.

Openers Andrew Puttick and Alastair Gray made it through to close of play unbeaten with a partnership of 132, after the hosts dismissed the Titans for 192 earlier on.

The Cobras won the toss and elected to bowl first. Johann Louw struck with the first ball of his first over with Heino Kuhn trying to play off the back foot but ending up chopping on instead. 

Full scorecard

Vernon Philander then came to the party not too long after, striking in the fifth over trapping Pieter Malan leg-before for eight as the Titans slumped to 14-2 in the first 20 minutes of play.

The Cobras continued to fire as a bowling change in the 11th over saw Justin Kemp get rid of Jacques Rudolph for nine with the Proteas man edging through to Dane Vilas. Two more quick wickets fell, but David Wiese and Roelof van der Merwe then combined for a 43-run partnership to help take the visitors safely to lunch.

The two persisted after lunch and put on a 117-run stand, before Kemp eventually got the breakthrough, dismissing Wiese for 58 about an hour after lunch. Van Der Merwe also went on to bring up his 50, before Kemp got rid of him, too.

The Titans were all out for 192 with Kemp picking up five wickets and Louw bagging two as the hosts took control on day one.

The tail provided little resistance and the Titans folded. The Cobras seized control but will have to rely heavily on their batting as they have two bowlers struggling with injury.

Puttick and Gray got stuck in and guided the home-side to 132-0 at the close of play, just 60 runs behind the Titans with both batsmen bringing up their half-centuries in fine fashion.

Philander picked up a hamstring injury and left the field after about an hour of play. He was sent for a scan and it was found that he has a grade one hamstring.

Kemp also picked up a slight knock and had to leave the field in the middle of his 13th over, but he just needed to be re-strapped and should be fine to bowl in the second innings.

Teams:


Cobras:
Andrew Puttick, Alistair Gray, Stiaan van Zyl, Yaseen Vallie, Qaasim Adams, Dane Villas (captain, wicketkeeper), Justin Kemp, Vernon Philander, Johan Louw, Dane Piedt, Beauran Hendricks

Titans: Heino Kuhn (captain, wicketkeeper), Tumelo Bodibe, Rowan Richards, David Wiese, Jacques Rudolph, Shaun von Berg, Roelof van der Merwe,  CJ de Villiers, Mangaliso Moshele, Dawid Malan, Tumi Masekela

 
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