While Sachin Tendulkar may have been dropped four times on his way to scoring 85 against Pakistan in the ICC World Cup semi-final, the Titans made it look like child's play as they dropped seven catches before tea in their all-important SuperSport Series clash against the Knights at Willowmoore Park on Thursday.
At stumps on day one, the Knights had made 383 for five with Pienaar unbeaten on 199 and Ryan McLaren on 17 the pair having put on an unbeaten 68 for the sixth-wicket.
The Titans' fielding was poor generally, but their spilled catches proved costly, none more so than the four catches offered by Obus Pienaar, on 9, 75, 102 and 126, two of which were dollies.
On the verge of a maiden double-century, Pienaar would not have been happy when bad light stopped play half-an-hour early as it did not appear to be any worse than it had been earlier in the day.
Pienaar played a slog-sweep for a mighty six off Shaun von Berg to bring up his second consecutive century in the series and only the third of his first class career. He made 119 against the Dolphins last weekend and his previous highest score was 128.
He smashed a four over mid-off to bring up his 150, off 125
balls, and looked to play a reckless shot to bring up his double-hundred but got a thick inside edge instead, which fell short of slips. The next ball he faced was a bouncer which ended the over and the day's play.
Adrian McLaren was also dropped twice, as he and Pienaar went on to share a 194-run, fifth-wicket stand before McLaren (66) was eventually dismissed by GC Viljoen, caught by Mangaliso Mosehle, who had dropped him when he had just four runs to his name.
The Knights' innings started off tentatively as they lost their first wicket with only 14 runs on the board. Dean Elgar (7) was caught behind by Heino Kuhn, bowled by Machant de Lange.
The next two batsmen were also dismissed for seven runs apiece after Rilee Rossouw was caught behind off Pierre Joubert and Ethy Mbhalati caught Ryan Bailey off his own bowling.
Reeza Hendricks survived to lunch on 32 but faced another 13
balls after the break, without scoring, and was bowled by Viljoen after facing 112 balls.
Pienaar and Adrian McLaren came together when the score was 91/4. They stayed together for just over three hours and their partnership came off 202 balls and included 28 fours and four sixes.
This is considered a must-win game for the Titans as they are a fraction of a point behind the Cobras, who top the log. The Cobras are currently playing against the Warriors in Paarl their last fixture of the season. -
Sapa