The Multiply Titans cruised to a comfortable 10-wicket victory over the Dafabet Warriors in their CSA 4-Day Series match at Dafabet St George's Park on Saturday.
The Titans took control of the contest on the first day. The visitors bowled the Warriors out for a mere 157 runs. The Titans replied to that effort with a brilliant 342 courtesy of an outstanding century from Lhuan-dre Pretorius, before restricting the home side to 244. The visitors needed 20.5 overs to score 63/0 in their second innings to claim victory.
Junior Dala and Merrick Brett were outstanding with the ball on the first day. Dala registered his eighth five-wicket haul in fine fashion. The pacer did not feature in the Titans' two matches of the season. They brought him in when they went up against the Knights. Against the Knights, the 34-year-old conceded runs at a reasonable rate, however, he went wicketless. Dala got his radar locked in on the target against the Warriors as he bagged five wickets for 27 runs in 10.3 overs in his second first-class outing of the season.
His strike partner, Merrick Brett bagged his maiden first-class four-wicket haul. The 23-year-old finished the innings with four wickets for 27 in 12 overs.
None of the Warriors' batters reached the 40-run mark. Jordan Hermann, Diego Rosier and Senuran Muthusamy got into the 30s but failed to kick on. Beyers Swanepoel scored 17 runs and was the only other batter to reach double figures.
The Titans stumbled in their reply, losing early wickets. However, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Sibonelo Makhanya stabilised the innings with a 101-run fifth-wicket partnership. Makhanya registered his 21st first-class half-century during their partnership. The 28-year-old is featuring in his first red ball match for the Titans this season. The middle-order batter made the best of the opportunity. He faced 87 deliveries to reach the milestone and was dismissed for 53 from 91 balls.
However, the star of the innings was Lhuan-dre Pretorius. The left-hander carved 14 fours and three sixes as 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 crumbled, 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.
In the second innings, the Warriors faced the same problems as they did in the first. Their top-order failed to get going, and when Sinethemba Qeshile tried to perform a rescue job, it was too little too late. The wicketkeeper was dismissed for a well-played 85 off 141. He faced 105 deliveries for his 18th first-class 50.
Junior Dala was outstanding with the ball again. The pacer bagged three wickets for 57 runs in 12 overs. He finished the match with eight wickets for 94 runs. He was the standout bowler in the match. Tshepo Ndwandwa also took three wickets, while Dayyaan Galiem took a brace.
Joshua van Heerden and Neil Brand shepherded the Titans past the finish line with an unbroken 63-run opening stand. Brand scored an unbeaten 44 and Van Heerden was not out on 18.