Proteas batsman Aiden Markram’s rich form with the bat continued on Tuesday as he struck an unbeaten half-century in the Titans’ 4-Day Franchise Series clash with the Cobras.

The men from the Cape were eventually bowled out in Centurion for 411 – thanks to a brilliant century by Pieter Malan on Monday – but Markram, who will contest with Malan for the opening spot in the Proteas Test team, looked in good nick himself.

READ: Malan’s ton puts Cobras in control

The right-hander raced to an unbeaten 80 at stumps as the Titans ended the day on 136-1, still 275 runs behind the Cobras’ first-innings total.

In Durban, the VKB Knights fought back bravely with the bat in their second innings after being knocked over by the Dolphins for only 116 on Monday.

In reply, the Dolphins also struggled to get going and form any worthy partnerships as the Knights dismissed them for 253.

At stumps, Knights opener Matthew Kleinveldt was not out on 67 with his team’s total on 150-2 – a lead of 13 runs.

Meanwhile, the Lions opened up a substantial lead over the Warriors at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, after bowling the coastal team out for only 118 in reply to the Johannesburg outfit’s first-innings total of 389.

Sisanda Magala was the pick of the bowlers for the Lions, taking figures of 3-37, while Malusi Siboto, Delano Potgieter and Tladi Bokako all picked up two wickets.

At stumps, the Lions were on 125-3 with a big lead of 396 runs.