DAY 2: Pretorius stands tall as Titans increase their lead

Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored a brilliant century to help the Multiply Titans reach 342 in their first innings on the second day of their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Dafabet Warriors at Dafabet St George's Park on Friday.

The Titans had a 185-run lead over the Warriors at tea. They were replying to the home side's first innings total of 157. The Warriors will commence their second innings after the tea break.

Pretorius carved 14 fours and three sixes as he compiled an outstanding maiden first-class century. The 18-year-old is playing in his first red-ball match. He faced 171 deliveries to register his maiden ton. The Cornwall Hill learner looked untroubled as he negotiated his way to the milestone. He was dismissed for a brilliant 120 from 184.

Before his dismissal, Pretorius shared a 52-run sixth-wicket partnership with Rivaldo Moonsamy that almost pushed the visitors' lead to 100 runs. Moonsamy added 30 runs to the total. His effort came off 47 deliveries. After that partnership ended, the debutant shared a 55-run seventh-wicket partnership with Dayyaan Galiem. Galiem's dismissal in the 76th over triggered a collapse that saw the visitors lose four wickets for 47 runs in 8.2 overs.

Beyers Swanepoel was the primary reason for that collapse. The pacer took three of the four wickets that fell in that period. Two of those three came in the same over. Swanepoel was the pick of the Warriors bowlers with five wickets for 54 runs in 21.5 overs. This is his ninth first-class five-wicket haul. 

WARRIORS: Jordan Hermann, Diego Rosier, Jean du Plessis, Matthew de Villiers, Sinethemba Qeshile (wk), Senuran Muthusamy (capt), Patrick Kruger, Beyers Swanepoel, Duanne Olivier, Alfred Mothoa, Siya Plaatjie.

TITANS: Neil Brand (capt), Joshua van Heerden, Keegan Petersen, Dewald Brevis, Sibz Makhanya, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Dayyaan Galiem, Merrick Brett, Junior Dala, Tsepo Ndwandwa.