Lungi Ngidi makes perfect return as Proteas watch with interest

Proteas hopeful Lungi Ngidi made the perfect return to franchise cricket as he claimed a career-best six for 37 to put the Titans in control of their Sunfoil Series match against the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers on Monday.

Ngidi made a dream start by removing Lions captain Stephen Cook, who had just won the toss and elected to bat, for a duck in the first over of the day, before claiming two wickets in his second over and his fourth in his fourth over.

The 21-year-old then returned after lunch to claim two more wickets as the Lions were bowled out for just 180, only Omphile Ramela, with a dogged three-hour 63 from the number three position, and all-rounder Bjorn Fortuin, with a fine innings of 80, providing resistance.

Openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram then added 80 for the first wicket in just 15 overs, but Aya Myoli ended what would have been a perfect day for the Titans by removing Elgar (34) and Bafana Mahlangu (0) off successive balls, both caught behind off excellent deliveries.

Markram reached the close on 49 not out, but it was not a faultless innings, Cook dropping a regulation chance at first slip off Hardus Viljoen when he had 18.

Less than 50 percent of the scheduled overs were possible in Kimberley thanks to an afternoon megastorm, with the Warriors reaching 120 for two, with Colin Ackermann on 76 not out, after winning the toss and electing to bat against the Knights.

In Oudtshoorn, it was obvious Dane Vilas had a point to prove against his former team as he lashed 145 not out off just 177 balls to take the Dolphins to the safety of 310 for eight against the Cape Cobras.

The Cobras had taken advantage of the early assistance on offer, having made the decision to bowl first, as they reduced the Dolphins to 11 for two.

Vilas came in after the in-form pair of Vaughn van Jaarsveld (35) and Cody Chetty (43) had lifted the Dolphins to 100 for four, and he was helped by the useful hand of skipper Khaya Zondo (41).

The return of Vernon Philander also produced impressive results as the Proteas seamer boasted the remarkable figures, considering the ferocity of the Vilas assault, of three for 24 in 17 overs.