Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Heinrich Klaasen hit his maiden Sunfoil Series century to help the Titans close in on victory over the Dolphins at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
After playing second fiddle to the hosts on the opening day, the visitors hit back superbly over the next two days, thanks to Klaasen’s epic 195 (353 balls, 23 fours, 2 sixes) that helped establish a 102-run lead.
Henry Davids then claimed 3/29 with his part-time spin to leave the Dolphins in trouble on 146/5 - a slender lead of only 44.
The Titans had resumed at the start of day three on 240/6, with Klaasen in sight of his first three figure score at this level.
He got there comfortably during a fine stand of 150 for the seventh wicket with Shaun von Berg, who made 54 (151 balls, 5 fours), and went on to record the second highest individual score for the Pretoria-based side in the fixture.
Rabian Engelbrecht ended as the pick of the bowlers with 4/61.
Davids then surprised the home side by taking the new ball and he rocked their top order by reducing the home side to 21/4, before Sibonelo Makhanya (41) helped Daryn Smit to stabalise proceeding with a 94-run fifth-wicket stand.
Smit was still there at the close carrying the hopes of the Dolphins with his unbeaten 62 (99 balls, 9 fours). With him was Robbie Frylinck (19) sharing in a 31-run stand that could prove decisive should it continue to blossom on the final day.
With the top-of-the-table Knights losing to the Cape Cobras earlier on Saturday, the winner of the contest is likely to take top spot heading into the final round next week.
