Whatever hopes the Cobras had of gaining a second Sunfoil victory were buried under a mountain of runs as they laboured to 393-3 in Paarl.
It is more a case of enhancing batting averages now, as the Cobras edged their way through the day at 2.6 runs to the over in reply to the Titans’ 435-9 declared.
Pieter Malan, a prolific scorer throughout the series, sailed on to 175 by the close, having put on 163 for the first wicket with Andrew Puttick (86) in 64.3 overs. If there was a glimmer of hope when Zubayr Hamza (24) and Stiaan van Zyl (17) went cheaply, it was tortuously snuffed out by Kyle Verreynne, who was with Malan at the close on 71.
In East London, the days missed because of rain, and a delay in starting day three has effectively killed off what could have been a dramatic match.
The Knights lead the Warriors by 94 runs, with seven wickets remaining in their second innings, but it will take a major swing of one sort or another to get a result.
The Knights will have to bat quickly and well to offer a target, and then bowl out the Warriors in short order. But given that the Warriors were bowled out for 181 in 56 overs on Saturday, it is possible.
The Warriors had resumed on 77-2, but collapsed under the weight of pace, with Ottneil Baartman taking 4-46 on debut, Duanne Olivier 3-57 and Ryan McLaren 2-47.
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
