A magnificent, chanceless 131 from Jon Jon Smuts, supported by Craig Thyssen, 67 not out, and Arno Jacobs, 63, propelled the Warriors to a valuable lead of 51 runs over the Titans at stumps on the second day of their SuperSport match in East London on Friday.
The Warriors are on 307 for six wickets in their first innings in reply to the Titans’ 256 all out.
Smuts arrived at the crease to face the third ball of the day after Bevan Bennett was clean bowled by Albie Morkel for a duck after shouldering arms to a ball that swung in to rattle his stumps. Michael Price was bowled by Ethy Mbhalati, also for a duck, but then Smuts and Jacobs steadied the ship, adding 144 runs for the third wicket.
Both played entertaining cricket and each batsman hit a six, with Smuts hitting 17 fours and Jacobs nine. They were particularly severe on leg-spinner Shaun von Berg, who, although he beat the bat on a number of occasions, finished the day wicketless for 85 runs off 18 overs.
Smuts , batted 273 minutes and faced 179 balls for his fifth century in first-class cricket, while Jacobs faced 147 balls in a stay of just on three hours for his 39th half-century.
Mbhalati was injured in the 47th over when he was struck on the left thumb when fielding a fierce drive from Smuts and had to have an X-ray taken. He did return to the field to bowl two overs shortly before play ended when the new ball was taken by the Titans.
Off-spinner Eden Links picked up four wickets including that of Smuts, who was bowled. Jacobs was magnificently caught by C J de Villiers at extra cover, who had to sprint about 25 metres before diving forward for the catch, while Justin Kreusch, 10, was caught behind by wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn and Kelly Smuts, 5, was out leg before wicket to the persistent Links, who bowled well and kept one end going for a long period. He ended with four wickets for 71 off 22 overs.
Thyssen took some time to get going, but batted enterprisingly and gave no chances in a solid innings which promises much for the Warriors for the third day as they seek extra batting bonus points and a good lead to force a win.
With Thyssen at the wicket at stumps was veteran Nicky Boje, who is 20 not out, including two cover drives for four.
The Warriors currently lead the bonus points chase 8.14 to the Titans’ 5.12. -
Sapa