The Warriors and Titans closed out the year on a high with dominant victories in this year’s final domestic fixture of the Cricket South Africa Four-Day Series on Thursday.
The Warriors, having recently won the CSA T20 Challenge trophy in Paarl, wrapped up what has been an impressive year for the Gqeberha-based side in style.
Coach Robin Peterson’s team inflicted a commanding innings victory over the North West Dragons at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Thursday.
The result was set up by a Jordan Hermann century and Matthew Boast’s five-wicket haul earlier in the contest.
Patrick Kruger’s 76 off 124 balls and Thomas Kaber’s 45 off 109 ensured the Warriors secured a 227-run first-innings lead, with the bowlers doing a fantastic job to dismiss the hosts for 85.
The Warriors won the match by an innings and 142 runs.
Up-country, the Titans did a commendable job in cleaning up the Dolphins inside three days.
Heading into the fixture, the Titans were under immense pressure, having lost four consecutive Four-Day Series matches.
Given how dominant the Titans have been in domestic cricket over the years, the Centurion-based side responded as many expected, claiming a dominant nine-wicket victory at home over the Dolphins.
Fast bowlers Janco Smit (7/66) and Duan Jansen (7/111), along with all-rounder Dayyaan Galiem (91 not out), played key roles in helping the hosts bounce back as they face the possibility of relegation after a dismal CSA T20 Challenge campaign.
Keegan Petersen (41 not out) and Neil Brand (26 not out) guided the Sky Blues to a dominant victory in the second innings on Thursday.
In Pietermaritzburg, Western Province need three wickets to win.
The in-form Juan James (56) and Daniel Smith (93) stood out on Day Three as they put Province in the driving seat in the clash.
In Johannesburg, Connor Esterhuizen (76) and Bjorn Fortuin (66) put together a 130-run partnership to help the Lions post 374 all out in the first innings.
In reply, Boland slumped to 253/9, trailing the Lions by 121 runs with one wicket remaining at the Wanderers Stadium, with Fortuin returning figures of 3/47.
Going into the fourth and final day of the contest, the Lions will fancy their chances of getting a result at home.
