The SuperSport Series match between the Titans and the Cape Cobras ended in a nail-biting draw on the fourth and final day at Willowmoore Park on Sunday, with Titans captain Pierre Joubert hanging on for nearly an hour-and-a-half to stave off defeat.
At close of play, the Titans had 185 for eight, still 101 short of the target.
The Cobras resumed play on their overnight score of 142 for four. Morne Morkel bowled Henry Davids for 64 in the third over of the morning, and night watchman Willem du Toit followed him to the pavilion a short time later after being trapped leg before wicket by Imran Tahir for a patient three runs off 50 balls in an hour and 10 minutes.
Albie Morkel claimed the last Cobras wicket to fall, when he had Vernon Philander lbw for 20.
Wicketkeeper Ryan Canning and spin-bowler Claude Henderson shared an eighth-wicket stand of 96 runs off 133 balls as the Cobras tried to ensure that the Titans could not secure a victory. Canning scored his eighth first-class 50 off just 60 balls, hitting nine boundaries in the process.
The Cobras declared their innings closed on 281 for seven 40 minutes after lunch, setting the Titans a target of 285 off 53 overs.
The Titans’ run chase got off to the worst possible start when Rushdie Jappie was caught behind by Canning off Charl Langeveldt in the first over, without a run on the board. Heino Kuhn was caught at short cover by Philander off Rory Kleinveldt for five, and Martin van Jaarsveld made eight before he was caught behind off Langeveldt, to have the Titans reeling on 26 for three.
However, Gulam Bodi, who made 138 in the first innings, and Faf du Plessis went some way to repairing the damage with a partnership of 82 off 118 balls. The Titans appeared to be making a match of it until Bodi tried a massive slog-sweep against Henderson, only to see the bails fall off. He made 41 from 60 balls, hitting six fours.
Cobras captain JP Duminy brought himself on to bowl and took two wickets in three balls to revitalise the visitors’ hopes of a victory. Behardien was caught behind for one and Du Plessis, who had reached his 16th 50 off 80 balls, was leg before wicket for 55.
Joubert and Albie Morkel appeared to have matters in hand, and a draw seemed likely until Morkel slashed wildly at a Henderson delivery and was bowled for 37.
Younger brother Morne replaced him, and he and Joubert managed to see out the required overs, but the Cobras, scenting victory, chose to complete the final hour provided for in match regulations, and this decision paid dividends when Morkel shouldered arms to a straight Duminy delivery and was bowled for 10.
With 13 minutes left to play, the Cobras gathered around the wicket like vultures. Imran Tahir bought some valuable time with a massive six that went right over the grass embankment and had to be retrieved, but the Titans suffered some anxious moments.
There were several animated appeals for leg-before decisions, but finally the stumps were drawn and the Titans had secured a draw.
Joubert was at the crease for 84 minutes and faced 69 balls for his 14 runs, and his presence in the middle was crucial in denying the Cobras the victory they so nearly claimed.
Duminy, who made a century for the Cobras in their first innings and then took three wickets, was named man of the match. — Sapa