Dane Vilas struck an unbeaten 161 to put the Cobras in complete control at the halfway stage of their SuperSport Series cricket match against the Titans in Benoni on Friday.
The wicketkeeper, unbeaten on 24 overnight and his side yet to take total charge of the game, took just 165 deliveries, striking 24 fours and two sixes along the way to help the defending champions post a massive 394.
This was after bowling out the hosts for 112 on day one at Willowmoore Park and claiming a 282 lead.
By stumps the log-leading Titans reached the close on 150 for four, still trailing by 132 and staring defeat in the face thanks to three wickets from Vernon Philander, who also did well with the bat.
The men from Cape Town began the day on 173 for five and lost Robin Peterson (10) and Justin Kemp (five) shortly after passing 200.
But Philander joined Vilas and together they put on 103 together before the partnership was ended when Rowan Richards had the all-rounder caught behind by Heino Kuhn for 32.
After another quick wicket, Vilas added another 71 for the 10th wicket with Johann Louw (20) to take the visitors close to 400.
Richards was the pick of the bowlers ending with four for 104, while David Wiese claimed three for 77.
In response, Philander (three for 37) removed Rushdi Jappie (five) and Jacques Rudolph (22) within the space of nine runs as the Titans fell to 37 for 2.
A 103-stand between Henry Davids and Farhaan Behardien, however, helped rebuild the innings, although they both fell for 56 and 50 respectively shortly before bad light ended play.
It left Martin van Jaarsveld (five) and Kuhn (four) fighting to save the game.
In the other game in Kimberley, four wickets apiece from Johan van der Wath and Quinton Friend put the Knights in an equally strong position against the Warriors at the De Beers Diamond Oval. They helped dismiss the visitors for 206 in reply to a first-innings 349 from the home side – an overall lead of 143.
That was extended to 214 by stumps after openers Reeza Hendricks (26 not out) and Dean Elgar (45 not out) smashed 71 from just 11overs.
Resuming on 307 for eight overnight, Shadley van Schalkwyk’s unbeaten 25 helped the tail wag, before Van der Wath and Friend swung into action by removing JJ Smuts and Warren Bell for ducks without a run on the board.
Ashwell Prince, who top-scored with 61, and Colin Ingram (41) then shared in a 107-run stand before their departures triggered a major collapse that saw the Warriors lose a further four wickets for two runs.
Andrew Birch managed 59 to shepherd the tail beyond 200 in a team innings that included five ducks.
Van der Wath completed his day with figures of four for 37 and Friend ended with four for 71, before Hendricks and Elgar completed a fine day for the hosts. – Sapa