de Bruyn blows the Cobras away

The Titans played themselves into a strong position at Benoni as they bowled the Cape Cobras out for 171 and then ended the first day on 115 for 2. Having won the toss the Cobras batted first only to be blasted out by Zander de Bruyn as he took 5 for 28 in a 12 over spell. Rory Kleinveldt hit 39 and Thami Tsolekile 38 to add a touch of respectability to the Cobras card. In reply, after losing an early wicket, the Titans eased their way to 115 for 2 when bad light brought an early end to proceedings. At the close Martin van Jaarsveld was 57 not out after Heino Kuhn had been run out for 41.

At East London the Dolphins, playing the Warriors, made good use of the limited time available as they totalled 285 for 5, thanks to a maiden hundred from Kyle Smit. Further contributions from Imraan Khan (67) and Ahmed Amla (55) gave the Dolphins the luxury of scoring at just over four runs an over. Bad light meant only 70 overs were possible, but Smit still had to finish unbeaten on 110, which included 21 boundaries.

The Eagles enjoyed a strong batting day at Bloemfontein as they but the Lions to the sword by amassing 299 for 5. A second-wicket partnership of 196 between Ryan Bailey (85) and Jacques Rudolph gave the home team the ideal platform as they push for a semi-final place. Rudolph could not have timed his 141 any better as the Test series between South Africa and Australia looms.