An impressive half century from Matthew Boast helped the Momentum Multiply Titans to 307 all out in their first innings of their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Knights at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday.
Just one over was possible in the Knights' first innings at the end of the day, with them not scoring a run or losing a wicket, so they will essentially start from scratch on day two.
Boast was part of an impressive lower-order fight from the Titans, that included a half century from Corbin Bosch, while Keegan Petersen also managed a half century earlier in the day.
Boast was eventually last man out for 75 off 146 balls, having hit 11 fours and one six, while Bosch scored 69 off 85 (9x4) and Petersen 66 off 126 (9x4).
BOAST SCORES MAIDEN FIFTY
After tea the Titans resumed in a tricky position on 178-6, but Boast and Bosch settled in and extended their seventh-wicket partnership to 78 runs as they took their side past the 200-run mark.
Bosch brought up his fifty and was looking good, but tried to pull spinner Dane Piedt onto the leg side, missing the ball and was pinned LBW with the score 239-7.
Merrick Brett (5), in as a concussion replacement for Andile Phehlukwayo who retired hurt earlier in the day, was soon caught behind by keeper Garnett Tarr off the bowling of Piedt as they slipped to 245-8.
Junior Dala (12) and Boast combined to add 25 to the score before Dala was run out by Malusi Siboto.
Last man Tsepo Ndwandwa (8 not out) then crucially stuck around for 38 deliveries, helping Boast get to his maiden fifty and get the team over 300 during their 37-run last-wicket stand.
HALF CENTURY FOR PETERSEN
Earlier in the day the Knights found themselves on top after reducing the Titans to 161-6, before they reached tea on 178-6.
After lunch the Titans resumed on 92-3, but immediately lost Jhedli van Briesies (8), out LBW to Tiaan van Vuuren.
Petersen and Rivaldo Moonsamy (6) took them past the 100 run mark, while Petersen brought up his half century, before Moonsamy became Van Vuuren’s third wicket, caught by Patrick Botha, with the score 112-5.
New man Phehlukwayo (8 not out), didn’t last long before retiring hurt.
Petersen and Bosch then tried to take their side safely to tea, only for Petersen to be bowled by Aaron Phangiso, leaving Bosch and Boast to get them to the break.
In the morning session the Titans got their innings off to a confident start in the first couple of overs, thanks to a bit of loose bowling, but were stopped in their tracks when Joshua van Heerden (9) was trapped LBW by Van Vuuren in the fifth over, leaving them on 27-1.
Captain Neil Brand (18) and Petersen looked to build a good partnership as they shared 27 for the second wicket, but having taken their side past 50, Brand was pinned LBW by Dian Forrester with the score 54-2.
Dewald Brevis (5), who struck a century in the previous match, didn’t last long before he was caught by Phangiso off the bowling of Siboto as they slipped to 66-3.
Petersen and Van Briesies then made sure there wouldn’t be any further trouble as they eased their side to lunch.
MOMENTUM MULTIPLY TITANS: Neil Brand (capt), Joshua van Heerden, Keegan Petersen, Dewald Brevis, Jhedli van Briesies, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Boast, Junior Dala, Tsepo Ndwandwa
KNIGHTS: Isaac Dikgale, Lesego Senokwane, Garnett Tarr (wk), Jacques Snyman, Dian Forrester, Patrick Botha, Tiaan van Vuuren, Matthew Pollard, Aaron Phangiso, Dane Piedt (capt), Malusi Siboto