Ken Borland

Aiden Markram scored his second century of the match to haul the Titans back into the game, but with a lead of 193 and just three wickets in hand, they will have little space for error if they are to beat the Warriors on the final day of their 4-Day Domestic Series match in Centurion.

The Warriors, who took a first-innings lead of 72 thanks to Sinethemba Qeshile’s feisty 97, were completely in charge until late in the day on Wednesday as they then reduced the Titans to 138 for five in their second innings.

But Markram, who scored 149 of the Titans’ first 272 runs in the first innings, remained at the crease and he strode to another majestic century on Wednesday, finishing with 121 off 193 balls, sending his chances of a Proteas Test recall soaring.

Rivaldo Moonsamy fought hard for his 43 as he and Markram added a crucial 95 for the sixth wicket as the Titans clawed their way back into the game.

Part-time left-arm spinner Lesiba Ngoepe claimed both their wickets to end the day with three for 25 and it was also an excellent day for tall left-arm paceman Marco Jansen, who caused the early damage with three for 48, as well as scoring 24 as the Warriors began the day with a key seventh-wicket stand of 40, along with Qeshile.

The match at the Wanderers is also deliciously in the balance thanks to an inspired unbeaten opening stand of 166 between Josh Richards (82*) and Dominic Hendricks (80*) that has left the Imperial Lions needing 168 more runs, with all 10 wickets in hand, to beat the Knights.

It was a great day for the Lions as they gave themselves a tough but gettable target of 334 by claiming the last nine Knights wickets for just 124 runs. That target is now within sight.

Resuming on 111 for one, the Knights were bowled out for 235 as all-rounders Delano Potgieter (4-41) and Wiaan Mulder (3-48) made inroads after Tladi Bokako (2-35) had set the ball rolling by removing Jonathan

Vandiar for 68.

Bad weather has taken a large chunk out of the game between the Dolphins and the Cape Cobras in Durban, with the home side gong into the final day with a lead of 132 and all 10 wickets in hand.

Dolphins openers Sarel Erwee and Senuran Muthusamy (21*) took them to 55 without loss after they had bowled out the Cobras for 312 for a first-innings lead of 77.

There were solid contributions down the Cobras batting order, but not the big score they required with Zubayr Hamza (46) and Tony de Zorzi (58) the leading scorers.

Paceman Lifa Ntanzi made some key strikes as he took three for 51, and left-arm spinner Muthusamy continued his fine all-round game with four for 58.

The Proteas formally announced on Wednesday that, after much internal discussion and engagement, they have decided not to take a knee to show their support for Black Lives Matter during their white-ball series against England that starts on Friday evening.

In what was described as an “Official Proteas Statement”, the team said their decision to now not take a knee, which is the opposite of what they did for the 3TCricket launch in July, was not influenced by management nor the coaches, but was entirely the will of the players as a whole.

“As a team, we have unanimously chosen not to take the knee at the upcoming matches, but to continue to work together in our personal, team and public spaces to dismantle racism. This decision was taken by the team collectively, after deep dialogue and attentive consideration. This is not a decision compelled on us by either our management or our coaches. Let us be clear, our team decision on not taking the knee does not indicate that we do not care about racism, racial equality, or justice. Now, more than ever, we are committed to this work,” the statement read.

The Proteas said that instead of an outward show of support for BLM, they will instead be wearing black armbands in support of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, during which the series will be played, saying GBV is the issue that matters at the moment.

“On 11 November, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would embark on five days of national mourning for the victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Covid-19. We, the Proteas, have taken the decision to answer the call by wearing black armbands during our next games, which fall during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This is an act of solidarity in response to a particular issue that the country is focusing its attention on during the next two weeks,” the statement read.

The Proteas acknowledged that even though their focus needs to be on winning cricket matches, they are a part of society and the terrible issues that affect many South Africans. But they took a swipe at those sections of the media who have been pressurising the team to take a knee during the England series.

“Our first job is to play cricket for the country but we are also citizens of this country. The Proteas team is a community within the wider community of South Africa. The conversations that are happening in the country as a whole are conversations we must be engaging with as a team. The issues that are facing the country as a whole are issues that must matter to us as a team.

“Likewise, the actions and decisions we take as a team, have impact on the country as a whole. We do not take this responsibility lightly. We ask in turn that our wider community honours the process we have engaged in over the last six months … We respect the right of the media to hold the team accountable as citizens. We ask though that in doing so the media not threaten the journey we have embarked on, the trust we have built, and the work we are doing by sowing contention around our decision,” the statement said.

JJ van der Mescht’s move to blindside flank was the chief talking point of the Sharks team announcement on Wednesday for their match against the Pumas in Durban on Friday night, with the Sharks also going into battle with a retreaded hooker at openside flank in Dylan Richardson.

What coach Sean Everitt described as an “experiment” has largely been forced on the Sharks though due to the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak in the squad, with both Phendulani Buthelezi and Henco Venter unavailable. Some good news though is that Springbok Sikhumbuzo Notshe is now out of quarantine and will return to action from the bench, with hardman Thembelani Bholi the starting eighthman.

“We’ve had a few problems the last couple of weeks and we’ve had to tweak our pack, giving us an opportunity to look at JJ on the side of the scrum. He has a good skill set and enough pace to fulfil the blindside role. It’s an experiment and we still look at JJ as a lock, but he’s certainly an option at seven. Next year playing in the Pro16, games are going to be a lot tighter and we’ll need to rely more on our set-piece and mauls, so if it works well on Friday night then great.

“Dylan has done well for us, his general all-round play has been outstanding. We still see him long-term as a hooker, but he is comfortable on the side of the scrum as well and he gets the chance to gain more experience there now at senior level. We’re fortunate to have three very good hookers and Dan Jooste has only made two starts but he rotates now with Kerron van Vuuren,” Everitt said on Wednesday.

While some critics have sought to disparage the Sharks’ efforts at the scrums and breakdowns – two areas of strength for the Pumas – the return of Thomas du Toit at tighthead should make a big difference to the set-piece and Everitt said the Sharks are always going to turn over some ball because of the expansive way in which they play.

“It’s really good to have Thomas back, we have struggled in the set-pieces when he’s not there, so it’s good to have a Springbok back. We’re looking to improve our set-piece and the breakdown, our focus is on that. But if you look at where we give away penalties or turn over the ball, it’s all over the field. And that’s the way it’s going to be if you play ball-in-hand rugby. When we do lose possession, it’s all about how quickly we react to the player who has turned it over,” Everitt said.

Sharks team: Manie Libbok, Yaw Penxe, Jeremy Ward (c), Marius Louw, Madosh Tambwe, Curwin Bosch, Sanele Nohamba, Thembelani Bholi, JJ van der Mescht, Dylan Richardson, Hyron Andrews, Ruben van Heerden, Thomas du Toit, Kerron van Vuuren, Ox Nche. REPLACEMENTS – Daniel Jooste, Khwezi Mona, Hanro Jacobs, Zain Davids, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Cameron Wright, Werner Kok, Sbu Nkosi.

It’s always frustrating for the bowling side when the lower-order adds the bulk of the runs to the batting total, but although that’s what the Imperial Lions managed to do at the Wanderers on Tuesday, the Knights remained firmly in charge at the end of the second day of their 4-Day Domestic Series match.

The Lions, replying to the Knights first innings of 300, slumped to 47 for five before their lower-order managed to get them to 202 all out, a significant improvement but still a deficit of 98 runs. With the Knights then cruising to 111 for one at stumps, they will go into the penultimate day already leading by 209 runs with nine wickets in hand.

Kagiso Rapulana (44) and Delano Potgieter (40) were the chief architects of the Lions’ recovery, adding 75 for the sixth wicket, and there were then useful contributions from Malusi Siboto (31) and Sisanda Magala (28*).

Left-armer Mbulelo Budaza started the rot with two early wickets, but it was fast bowler Migael Pretorius who once again did the most damage, taking four for 40.

Pretorius had earlier finished on 79 not out as the Knights added nine more runs on the second morning, Magala claiming the last wicket to finish with superb figures of six for 60, just reward for his persistence.

In the Knights second innings, Jonathan Vandiar (53*) and Raynard van Tonder (39*) had already added 82 for the second wicket.

The daily fluctuations in four-day cricket were perfectly captured up the road at SuperSport Park in Centurion where the Titans, having held sway on the opening day against the Warriors, suffered a miserable second day.

It all started on the fourth ball of the day when Aiden Markram, the hero of the first day with his brilliant 149 not out, was caught behind off Marco Jansen without adding to his overnight score.

The Titans were all out an hour before lunch for 320, with left-armer Jansen the pick of the bowlers with three for 69 and Mthiwekhaya Nabe also taking three wickets.

The Warriors batsmen were then served up a regular diet of loose deliveries and their positive approach saw them race along at well over four runs to the over.

Matthew Breetzke feasted with a dozen boundaries in his run-a-ball 53 and captain Yaseen Vallie then rammed home the early dominance with his fluent innings of 80, being particularly strong off his legs.

The Titans fought back with three wickets in the afternoon, but the Warriors ended the day in firm control on 319 for six as Sinethemba Qeshile, who remains unbeaten on a punchy but responsible 67*, and Lesiba Ngoepe, with a freescoring 52, added 93 for the sixth wicket.

Khaya Zondo highlighted the day’s play in Durban, stroking a fine century and leading the Dolphins to a commanding 389 for eight declared against the Cape Cobras.

Zondo’s impressive knock of 105 off 187 balls included 12 fours and a six, adding 86 for the sixth wicket with Ruan de Swardt (44).

The Cape Cobras were cruising on 71 for one in reply, with Pieter Malan (33*) and Zubayr Hamza (22*) batting well, when stumps was called, bad light bringing play to a premature end with 26 overs still scheduled to be bowled.