The Dolphins kicked off the 2018-19 domestic 4-Day Franchise Series at SuperSport Park by posting 269 runs against the Titans at SuperSport Park thanks to heroics from Sibonelo Makhanya.
The morning session firmly belonged to the Titans bowlers as they picked up three wickets at the expense of just 82 runs.
The Dolphins top-order failed to impress as the top three batsmen were back in the pavilion before lunch thanks to productive bowling from Chris Morris (2-34), Alfred Mothoa (5-55) and Shaun von Berg (2-71)– who each picked up a wicket before the interval.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Dolphins openers Jason Oakes (31 off 52 balls, five fours) and Grant Roelofsen (31 off 90 balls, five fours) each made impressive starts and shared a 52-run opening partnership. They failed to capitalise and both lost their wickets before the break.
Not much changed after lunch as the Dolphins lost a further four wickets thanks to an inspired spell from Mothoa, who continued where he left off in the first session by picking up a further three wickets in the second session, leaving the Dolphins reeling at 143-7.
The Dolphins managed to register 172-7 at tea after Makhanya valiantly stuck it out during the second session while suffering with what appeared to be a stomach bug.
Makhanya was the pick of the batsmen with his 86 off 156 balls (including 10 fours and two sixes) as he and captain Keshav Maharaj (41 off 60 balls, six fours) posted a 90-run partnership for the eighth wicket to frustrate the Titans bowlers in the last session of the day.
Titans captain Farhaan Behardien soon brought Mothoa back into the attack and his decision was rewarded as the paceman broke the troublesome partnership by getting rid of Maharaj. Mothoa starred with the ball as he finished with figures of 5-55 at an economy of 3.05.
The Titans will resume on 9-1 on Thursday morning as Andrea Agathangelou and nightwatchman Eldred Hawken survived to the end of the day after Maharaj dismissed Tony de Zorzi with the first delivery of his spell.
Photo: Lee Warren and Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
