Just 14 wickets went down on day two in the three Sunfoil matches across the country as the batsmen set imposing targets.
Dolphins opener Sarel Erwee brought his Africa Cup T20 form to the big stage, hammering just his third first-class hundred in 62 matches, and showed the Knights the error of their ways in electing to field first in Durban after day one was washed out.
Erwee set the tone with a commanding 151, scored off 197 balls with 21 fours and four sixes as the team ended the day on 343-5.
The visitors may have had a brief flicker of hope when Senuran Muthusamy was run out with the score on 19, but Vaughn van Jaarsveld joined Erwee in a partnership of 106 in 22 overs.
When he departed on 53 off 70 balls (7×4), Cody Chetty picked up the running, and the leadership, when Erwee became the first of part-time spinner Keegan Petersen’s three victims in the day. Chetty played solidly for his 101 off 176 (7×4, 2×6) while Petersen, the seventh bowler used, cleared out Khaya Zondo (2) and Makhanya (4) with his leg breaks.
The only team to come under bowling pressure were the Highveld Lions, who were four down for 170 in reply to the Titans’ offering of 452-7 in Centurion.
The Titans picked up from where they left off at 293-5, with Henry Davids easing his way from 80 to his 13th first-class hundred. He ended on 137 off 239 balls, sharing a stand of 80 with Shaun von Berg (30), and 59 with Malusi Siboto. The No 8 batsman recognised the need for some urgency and powered his way to 50 off 60 balls, with help from Corbin Bosch (24 off 12). They added 38 in four overs, just to rub it in.
Reeza Hendricks led the fightback with 51, but the Titans continuously disrupted budding partnerships. Nicky van den Bergh and Dwaine Pretorius were at the crease on 44 and 18 respectively.
The Warriors similarly built themselves a solid platform in Port Elizabeth, running up 452-6 against the Cobras, who gathered just two bowling points. The Warriors certainly take the methodical route, for they scored at just 2.7 an over on day one. They upped that to four on day two, but once again they let points slip away in favour of a low-risk strategy.
The Cape side, bottom of the log due to their dearth of bonus points, responded well with 161-1; Zubayr Hamza (75) and Pieter Malan (63) consolidating after the loss of Andrew Puttick for 18.
Titans vs Highveld Lions scorecard
Warriors vs Cape Cobras scorecard
Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images
