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Bowlers bat Lions into dominant position

Centurion - Career-best efforts with the bat by bowlers Bjorn Fortuin and Hardus Viljoen ensured the Highveld Lions completely dominated day two of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Titans in Centurion on Friday.

Slow-left-armer Fortuin, playing just his fourth four-day match, struck a splendid 116 (158 balls, 15 fours, 2 sixes) as the visitors posted a mammoth 609 all out at SuperSport Park.

Nono Pongolo then grabbed two wickets as the top-of-the-table hosts were reduced to 140/4 by stumps, still trailing by a huge 469.

Fortuin, who is just 21 and playing in his debut season, made 194 for provincial side North West against Western Province in January, forcing his way into the franchise set-up and he delivered an excellent second career ton.

He began the day on 69 not out and added 125 with Viljoen for the eight wicket with the Proteas paceman notching up his career-best score of 72 (78 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes).

Pongolo then hit his best franchise score of 39 not out for the Lions, adding 76 with Pumelela Matshikwe (30) for the final wicket, as the defending champions, who must win the clash in order to retain hope of winning the title, were eventually dismissed in 132.2 overs.

Tabraiz Shamsi finished with 5/183, while Marchant de Lange collected 4/143.

The log-leading Titans then found themselves in huge trouble on 52/4 thanks to Pongolo (2/23), before an unbroken 88-run stand between captain Henry Davids (49) and Qaasim Adams (45) saw them in a slightly better position when bad light ended play slightly earlier than scheduled.

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