Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Omphile Ramela has backed up his first franchise century with an immediate second as the Cape Cobras thwarted the Titans plans on the opening day of their Sunfoil Series fixture at Willowmoore Park.
Proving just how valuable his breakthrough hundred against the Warriors was last week, Ramela scored an even brighter 125 not out as the Cobras put up 278 for two after being inserted by the Titans.
While last week’s century was at times a painstaking affair, scored at a strike rate that only touched 40 towards the end, on Thursday Ramela showed improved confidence and urgency as he made his runs from 209 deliveries.
That helped the Cobras to make up for some of the time that was lost to bad light, which ended the day with only 75 overs bowled, but also made their decision to go into the game a batsman light look like a bold but justifiable one.
Andrew Puttick was the other major contributor to the Cobras, stroking 74 and sharing a healthy stand with Ramela to make up for the early disappointment of seeing Stiaan van Zyl retire hurt after a breezy 24.
Puttick and Ramela left the Titans to question their decision at the toss as they carried the Cobras total to 179 before David Wiese bowled the senior batsman.
Ramela was particularly positive either side of tea, scoring the majority of the 86 runs that he added with Justin Ontong (29), and even taking 14 from one Henry Davids over.
Ontong was caught behind off the bowling of Rowan Richards, but Dane Vilas moved to 10 not out before bad light stopped play with the Cobras in a dominant position.
