Irrepressible Dala makes history as Titans reach final
But after running into trouble with the bat, the wise Farhaan Behardien calls on all his experience to guide his side home against the Cobras.
Junior Dala during the Momentum One-Day Cup, Semi Final match between Multiply Titans and WSB Cape Cobras at SuperSport Park on March 27, 2019 in Centurion, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
Farhaan Behardien may no longer be in the Proteas picture but the veteran batsman showed once again that there are few better than him when it comes to closing the deal.
His brilliant unbeaten half-century ensured the Titans are in the Momentum One-Day Cup final thanks to a thrilling five-wicket win over the Cape Cobras at Centurion last night.
In a low-scoring semifinal, Junior Dala, with six for 19 – the best ever figures for the Titans in 50-over cricket – and Dale Steyn (10-1-20-3) produced inspirational displays with the ball to bowl the Cobras out for just 187.
But the Titans were soon in deep trouble in their run-chase, slumping to 65 for five in the face of some superb seam bowling from Vernon Philander and Rory Kleinveldt.
But in Behardien the Titans had the ideal man for a crisis, with the 35-year-old showing tremendous composure and skill.
He barely hit a ball in the air as he finished with 75 not out off 92 balls, once again breaking Cape hearts.
Corbin Bosch showed tremendous fight in scoring 45 not out off 65 balls and sharing in a matchwinning, unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 123 with Behardien.
The Cobras’ batting, as fragile as china, was exposed by Steyn and Dala after the Titans had won the toss and sent them in to bat.
Steyn was magnificent, dismissing Janneman Malan and Zubayr Hamza in the first over for ducks, and barely bowled a bad ball in his 10 overs.
Dala then shattered the rest of the batting line-up, bowling with tremendous pace and aggression, as he took his leading tally of Momentum One-Day Cup wickets this season to 26.
That the Cobras bowlers had something to defend was thanks to a fine knock of 65 by young wicketkeeper/batsman Kyle Verreynne, who had some notable help from the experienced duo of Philander (36) and Kleinveldt (32).
The Titans will host the winners of Thursday’s semifinal between the Dolphins and the Warriors in Sunday’s final.
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