Aiden Markram showed his big-match temperament by smashing his third century of the One-Day Cup campaign to help the Titans post 356-5 in the final against the Dolphins at SuperSport Park. KHALID MOHIDIN reports.
Markram was the star for the Titans scoring a remarkable 88-ball 127 as the Titans obliterated the Dolphins bowlers in the One-Day Cup final.
With the convenor of selectors Linda Zondi watching from the stands, Markam made it almost impossible for the World Cup selectors to leave him out of the squad.
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Khaya Zondo won the toss and made an interesting choice. He opted to bowl first at a ground that favours the team batting first in day games. In 10 day games played at Centurion, nine games have been won by the team batting first. And with the Titans’ strong batting lineup, it was a brave decision by the skipper.
The Titans went on to post the highest total in day games in Centurion.
In 33 games between the two sides, the Dolphins lead the Titans by 15 wins to 14, with four matches ending in a no result.
Two questionable lbw denials by Umpire Shaun George made things harder for the Dolphins. One came off the bowling of Daryn Dupavillon against Theunis de Bruyn at the start of the match. The ball looked like it was hitting middle and leg. De Bruyn went on to score 72.
The second was from Prenelan Subrayen against Jonathan Vandiar (30) with the ball hitting his back leg plum in front of the stumps.
Subrayen finally got his man, however, when Vandiar gloved a stock delivery onto his pad that saw David Vilas dive over the wickets to claim the catch.
De Bruyn got the Titans a steady start building two key partnerships. He built 51 with Tony de Zorzi (19) and 56 with Vandiar.
He started a partnership with Markram and took the Titans to 137-2 before he lost his wicket to Senuran Muthusamy, the spinners doing all the work for the Dolphins.
Markram and Dean Elgar were key to pushing the Titans to 279 but Elgar, who scored 58 off 42 balls, went after his third maximum but instead picked out the long-off fielder. This brought a remarkable 142-run partnership to an end.
Markram was phenomenal. He brought up his fifth One-Day Cup century and his third of the campaign. He scored 127 off 88 balls (eight sixes and five fours) and was dismissed by Andile Phehlukwayo as the Titans were reduced to 335-5 after 48.2 overs.
Farhaan Behardien led the back-end assault to take the Titans past 350. He scored 35 off 19 balls (five fours) to take his side to 356-5.
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
