Century for Rudolph as Titans make hay

Jacques Rudolph during day 1 of the Supersport Series match between the Titans and the Highveld Lions at SuperSport Park on January 06, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Photograph by: Lee Warren
Credit: Gallo Images

The Lions won the toss, and sent the Titans in to bat in cool, overcast conditions. The decision seemed to have been vindicated when Pieter Malan went out in the fifth over, leg before wicket to Cliffie Deacon for 10.

But that was the only wicket to go down before lunch, as the weather cleared and the pitch flattened out. Rudolph, who has let it be known he is determined to force his way back into the national team, and Blake Snijman shared a second-wicket stand of 166 before Snijman was caught on the boundary by Friedel de Wet off Pumelela Matshikwe for 53.

Farhaan Behardien joined Rudolph at the crease and they put on 48 runs together before Behardien edged a Zander de Bruyn delivery to Neil McKenzie at first slip for 25, in the over before tea.

Heino Kuhn faced three balls before he was bowled by Matshikwe without scoring, clearing the way for Henry Davids to join his captain at the crease.

Their 113-run partnership ended four overs before the close of play, when Rudolph got a touch to a De Wet delivery and was caught behind by Thami Tsolekile. His innings was outstanding, with his own brand of elegant strokeplay. He was at the crease for 412 minutes and faced 245 deliveries.

At close of play, Davids was not out on 65 and CJ de Villiers had two. Matshikwe was the most successful bowler, with two for 62, while Deacon, De Wet and De Bruyn took one each.