Seamer Alfonso Thomas showed a new side to his game, according to Titans captain Martin van Jaarsveld, after he batted and bowled the hosts into the T20 Challenge final in Centurion on Sunday.
The home side eliminated the Knights in their one-off semifinal after it was decided in a super over.
Chasing 144 runs to win in the regulation overs, the Titans needed 14 off the last three balls, and Thomas smashed two sixes to end the match in a tie.
“Towards the back end of our innings, I really thought we’d let this one go,” Van Jaarsveld said.
“I’ve seen Thomo flick balls but I’ve never seen him bend the front leg and hit it into the crowd like that.”
Albie Morkel and Farhaan Behardien were chosen to face Johan van der Wath in the Titans' super over.
Behardien, called up to the Proteas T20 squad for a one-off match against India at the Wanderers on Friday, took the game away from the Knights as they made 19 runs.
In response, Thomas restricted the visitors to only six runs.
“Behardien’s had such a good summer and I’m so glad he’d been picked to play for South Africa now,” Van Jaarsveld said.
“He’s got nerves of steel and does it day-in and day-out and he’s been fantastic for us.”
Thomas, who specialises in death bowling, was able to call on his experience after delivering a successful super over for Somerset against Hampshire in English country cricket last year.
“Two out two super overs, but I hope I don’t ever have to bowl a third one,” Thomas said.
“I said to the skipper before I started, he must keep all the other guys away from me and just let me do this on my own.”
The key to the deciding six deliveries, he felt, was the way he bowled the first few balls.
“If you can surprise them with the first couple of balls and then get yourself into the over, then you’re probably good to go because then they have to come at you,” Thomas said.
“Luckily the whole plan came together for me.”
Morne van Wyk, the Knights’ losing captain, was gracious in defeat.
“Entertainment-wise everyone at the ground saw a game they’ll never forget,” Van Wyk said.
“It’s a thin line between going down or not but it was a great game, and we’ll talk about it for a long while.”
The Titans, who also booked their place in this year's lucrative Champions League T20 tournament, face the Highveld Lions in the domestic final at the Wanderers on Sunday. – Sapa