Photos: Lions show fight to earn draw against Titans

Resilience in the face of defeat can be one way to describe the Bizhub Highveld Lions’ performance against the Multiply Titans in their four-day Sun-foil Series match which ended in a draw at Senwes Park from 3-6 November.

The catalysts for the Lions were North West’s own Dwaine Pretorius who scored 72 in the first innings as well as Rassie van der Dussen with 76* and Nicky van den Bergh with 41* who saved their team from defeat on their home ground.

The Titans can count themselves unlucky that they did not get more out of the match, after dominating the first two days with solid bowling and destructive batting. The rain had the final say on the third day, as it washed the Titans momentum away. The Titans bowling hero in the first innings was the newly recruited Malusi Siboto who took career-best figures of 7-48 to restrict the Lions to a paltry 206 all out.

The Titans then replied with 431/6 declared with Henry Davids’ majestic 150* leading the way. The platform was set up through a 124-run opening partnership between Heino Kuhn (71) and Aiden Markram (53). The Lions’ best bowler was Aaron Phangiso whose miserly left-arm spin gave him 2/97 in 34 overs.

The Lions hit 187/2 in their second innings reply on the final day as the match petered out to a draw.

Both teams will now shift their attention to the shorter 20-over format as they will meet again this coming Saturday in the T20 challenge match at Bidvest Wanderers.

Potchefstroom’s Nicky van den Bergh has been named as the vice-captain for this match against the Titans. Potchefstroomers can also be on the lookout for a mouthwatering T20 clash on 20 November when the Lions face the Cape Cobras at Senwes Park.