Qeshile fights to keep Warriors in the contest

Sinethemba Qeshile scored a valiant half-century as he fought to keep the Dafabet Warriors in the contest in their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Multiply Titans at Dafabet St George's Park on Saturday. The Warriors were bowled out for 244 at the stroke of lunch.

The Titans will commence their second innings after lunch. The visitors need 60 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand. The Warriors won the toss, elected to bat first and registered a 157-run first-innings total. The Titans replied with a score of 342.

Qeshile arrived at the crease in no mood to allow the visitors to trample over them. The wicketkeeper added 53 runs to his overnight tally as he took his side past the deficit and into the lead. He was dismissed for a well-played 85 off 141. He compiled an outstanding half-century in the process.

Qeshile faced 105 deliveries for his 18th first-class 50. This is his third half-century in red-ball cricket this season. However, it was his second for the Warriors. The 26-year-old scored a half-ton for the Warriors in their first match of the season, then he followed that up with a few scores in the 20s and 30s. The wicketkeeper then chalked a 73 for the SA Invitational XI that played against the England Lions.

The wicketkeeper shared a 90-run eighth-wicket partnership with Duanne Olivier as the Warriors refused to roll over and die. Olivier scored a brilliant 42 off 71 balls in the process.

Tshepo Ndwandwa and Junior Dala were the most successful bowlers for the Titans in the innings. They bagged three wickets each. Dala took three wickets for 57 runs in 12 overs and Ndwandwa finished with three wickets for 46 runs in 11.1 overs. Dayyaan Galiem took a brace, while Sibonelo Makhanya and Merrick Brett took a wicket each.