Codi Yusuf’s four wickets ensured the Central Gauteng Lions were in complete control after day four of the 4-Day Series final against the Northerns Titans at the Wanderers.
The seamer claimed 4-46 on Sunday as the hosts bundled out their visitors for a poor 123 in reply to their first-innings score of 413-7 declared – a huge deficit of 290.
The follow on was subsequently enforced by home captain Dominic Hendricks, with the away side then reaching 118-3 when bad light ended play early.
It still left the Titans needing 172 to make the Lions bat again on the final day of what is a five-day decider. Day one and more than half of day two was lost due to a wet outfield.
DAY 3 REPORT: Hamza, Sipamla put Lions in control
The Titans had started day four already in a fix at 17-3 and their problems initially looked to have been solved by Keegan Petersen (50 off 87 balls; nine fours).
Petersen put on 58 with nightwatchman Junior Dala, who made a stubborn 12 of 54 balls, before being bowled by Bjorn Fortuin, also excellent with 3-27.
However, from 75-3 the visitors collapsed by losing their remaining seven wickets for 48.
The set Petersen followed Dala to the pavilion when he we cleaned up by Tshepo Moreki (1-16), whilst Rivaldo Moonsamy (four) fell cheaply to spinner Fortuin.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius did his best to reduce the deficit with an unbeaten 30, but he lacked support and the Titans were dismissed in 47 overs.
Luthu Sipamla, who took 2-31 in the first innings, then landed an early blow in the follow-on innings when he got rid of away captain Neil Brand for nine.
A 49-run second-wicket partnership between Joshua van Heerden and Petersen brought finally brought some calm to the batting, though Fortuin again struck at a crucial time when he accounted for the former for 24.
The latter went on to reach his second half-century of the match – and he remained unmoved on 50* (97 balls, eight fours) – as he put on 37 with Dewald Brevis (26).
But Sipamla did manage to get the dangerous Brevis in the final passage of play, with Pretorius (six not out) keeping Petersen company to the close.
WATCH LIVE: 4-Day Series final (Day 5)
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
