A third career century by Tony de Zorzi helped the Titans storm back and raise their prospects of salvaging a draw from their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter with the Cape Cobras in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The left-hander struck a fine 114 not out (225 balls, 16 fours, 1 six) and was supported perfectly by half-centuries from Heinrich Klaasen (79 off 113 balls, 11 fours) and Farhaan Behardien (62 not out off 114 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) with the visitors closing day three on 271-3.

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That left them with a lead of 102 runs – a good turnaround considering the first innings difference between the sides was 169.

The Cobras had a career-best effort from George Linde to thank for getting them up to 456 after the all-rounder amassed an unbeaten 148 (185 balls, 16 fours, 3 sixes).

The Cobras had resumed on 404-6 overnight at Newlands, Linde beginning on 121, but he ran out of partners as Ryan Cartwright finished with 4-87.

The Titans lost two early wickets in the form of Victor Mahlangu (10) and Theunis de Bruyn (0). The pair fell to successive Jason Smith (2-27) balls, but it was one-way traffic from there.

De Zorzi and Klaasen added 143 for the third wicket, followed by an unbroken 110-run stand, giving the Titans an excellent chance of saving the game.

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