An all-round performance by Dane Piedt put the Cobras in command of their Sunfoil match against the Titans in Benoni on day two.
First he slammed a powerful 74 to help his team to a first innings total of 428, then he took three wickets as the hosts ended the day on 168-3, 260 runs behind.
The offbreak spinner was brought on in the 10th over and claimed his first wicket after seven balls, trapping Tony de Zorzi for 14. He bowled tightly and persistently until Dean Elgar cracked on 24, also lbw. Andrea Agathangelou and Heino Kuhn resisted for another 82 runs until Piedt broke through again, immediately after Agathangelou had reached his fifty, leaving the Titans at 133-3.
Kuhn carried the flag through to the end, returning unbeaten on 57 alongside Rivaldo Moonsamy (17).
Earlier when the Cobras resumed their innings on 272-5, Piedt once again stepped in to give the tail some muscle and support Pieter Malan, who started the day on 103. The prolific opener was eventually dismissed on 137, whereupon Piedt took the attack to the Titan bowlers. His was the last wicket to fall, after an aggressive 74 off 116 balls, with nine fours. Dane Paterson provided excellent support with 19 off 27, with two fours and a six. All grist to the mill.
Eldred Hawken emerged the best of the bowlers with 3-60, with a brace apiece for pacemen Rowan Richards and Malusi Siboto, as well as leg-spinner Shaun von Berg.
The match is now at a delicate phase. The Titans will be hoping for a score close to parity, which will test the Cobras’ will to win in terms of a declaration.
Photo: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
