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Matthew Arnold, 2-42, Titans vs Cape Cobras

Half-centuries by Pieter Malan and Simon Khomari put the Cobras in a commanding position at the halfway stage of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Titans in Oudtshoorn. The pair shared an opening stand of 135 as the hosts replied to the visitors’ 275 by going to stumps on 299 for five. Malan, one of the most consistent batsmen in South African first-class cricket over the past two seasons, made 95 (181 balls, 12 fours) and was still unbeaten – although he had to retire hurt due to severe cramp at the Recreation Ground. Khomari, meanwhile, recorded a career-best 77 (90 balls, 14×4), beating his previous highest score of 70 against the Warriors at Paarl in 2015/16. Late wickets did jolt the log-leaders, although they still had five wickets in the bag heading into day three. Earlier there was heartbreak for Leus du Plooy as he fell three short of a century when he was the last man standing for the Titans unbeaten on 97 (257 balls, 12×4, 1×6). Just three runs were added to the away side’s 272 for nine with Alfred Mothoa (1) dismissed by Dane Piedt, who completed an excellent return of six for 75 in 41.2 overs. The Malan-Khomari stand then provided an excellent backbone for the reply, although it ended when Shaun von Berg (1-101) accounted for the latter. Zubayr Hamza (28) managed to add 71 for the second wicket before he was removed by Du Plooy (1-48) before David Bedingham (41) and Kyle Verreynne (17) took the score to 265 for two thanks to another half-century partnership that yielded 59. The home side lost their way somewhat from there thanks to a double strike by Matthew Arnold (2-42) and one from Mothoa (1-34), but with five wickets still standing, the Cobras held the advantage through a 24-run lead. Titans 275 (JL du Plooy 97 not out, H Davids 47, S von Berg 30, AP Agathangelou 29, VB Mahlangu 23; DL Piedt 6-75, GF Linde 3-88) Cape Cobras 299-5 (PJ Malan 95 ret hurt, SM Khomari 77, DG Bedingham 41, Zubayr Hamza 28, GF Linde 21; JL du Plooy 1-48, S von Berg 1-101, M Arnold 2-42, SA Mothoa 1-34) Cape Cobras lead by 24 runs with 5 second-innings wickets in hand Footage: Cricket South Africa