Shamsi leaves Dolphins with tough uphill battle

Cape Town - Tabraiz Shamsi claimed five wickets on day three to put the Titans in a strong position for victory against the Dolphins in their Sunfoil Series clash at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.

The Proteas spinner first took three for 37 to help the visitors shoot out the hosts for 216 in reply to 500 for six declared – a massive difference of 284.

Titans captain Aiden Markram then opted to enforce the follow-on and Shamsi managed another two wickets for 56 with the home side reaching stumps on 160 for two, still 124 runs behind.

However, Sarel Erwee was holding up the away side with his unbeaten 88 (147 balls, 13 fours).

The two men to fall in the second innings were Vaughn van Jaarsveld (39) after he put on a century stand with opener Erwee for the second wicket, and first-innings top-scorer Senuran Muthusamy (12), who made a defiant 64 (188 balls, 9 fours) earlier in the day.

Shamsi’s first-innings support came from Alfred Mothoa (3/30) and Shaun von Berg (2/70) as the Titans ended in control.