Late Morkel show carries Titans to Paarl win
A superb late assault by Albie Morkel helped the Titans make it two T20 Challenge wins out of two with a six-wicket triumph over the struggling Cape Cobras at Boland Park in Paarl on Wednesday.
The veteran all-rounder clubbed six fours in a 16-ball unbeaten 34 as the defending champions chased down a modest 142-run victory target with seven balls to spare.
The home side, who are now winless in seven matches of the 2016/17 franchise season – two T20s and five Sunfoil Series – opted to bat after winning the toss.
But they were kept in check by the Titans’ bowlers, in particular Junior Dala (2/17), Lungi Ngidi (2/21) and David Wiese (1/18).
Cebo Tshiki top-scored with 47 and shared in an 84-run second wicket stand with Jason Smith (38), before both were dismissed by Ngidi.
Kieron Pollard then hit a crucial 32 not out to give the hosts a fighting chance.
They carried that hope into the chase by keeping the Titans in check for most of the way. Heinrich Klaasen did make 46, but that was from 39 balls, before he fell in the 15th over with the total still on 90.
With 50 required from the final five overs, captain Morkel and Farhaan Behardien (22 not out) cut loose. Their stand of 52 in just 4.1 overs took the Titans to a comfortable win.