Jon-Jon Smuts took two wickets off two balls in the dying moments to give the Warriors an incredible Sunfoil victory over the Titans in East London.
In the 89th over of the day, he dismissed Chris Morris, who had made an outstanding century, and then Tabraiz Shamsi for a 77-run win.
For so long, it looked as if Morris’s aggressive defence would deny the Warriors their second win of the season. After the Titans had been reeling at 110-7, he decided attack was the best form of defence and he took just 184 balls for his 113, striking at a rate of 61, with 20 fours.
He found an equally aggressive partner in No 9 bat Malusi Siboto, who smashed 43 off 52 balls, and then a solid stonewall partner in Junior Dala, who withstood 57 balls for his five runs. Until Smuts entered the fray in the twilight.
Warriors paceman Tladi Bokako had created the early excitement, taking four top-order Titans wickets, including the dismissal of Heino Kuhn (14) and Heinrich Klaasen (0) in the space of three balls.
The offbreak spin of Simon Harmer and the orthodox left-arm of Smuts chipped away, but with Morris and Dala looking so set, it looked to be two wickets too far.
The Titans slipped from top spot to fourth as the Warriors took the log leadership on 116.42 points. The Cobras’ victory over the Dolphins lifted them to second, just 0.64 points behind. After eight rounds, 5.96 points separate the top four.
In Kimberley, bad light, rain and stubborn resistance ensured the draw between the Knights and the Highveld Lions.
After declaring overnight at 500-8, a lead of 283, the Knights needed quick wickets, given that the weather had shortened play every day. But although Marchant de Lange took two, and Duanne Olivier and Shadley van Schalkwyk one each, there was enough resilience in the line-up. Rassie van der Dussen was the principal anchor, ending unbeaten on 64, with solid contributions from Stephen Cook (36), Omphile Ramela (36) and Dominic Hendricks.
That leaves the Lions still at the bottom of the pile with six draws and two losses, while the Knights are third on 112.56 with eight draws.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
