Tahir claims six wickets

Imran Tahir of the Titans bowling during day 1 of the Supersport Series match against the Highveld Lions at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
Photograph by: Gallo Images
Credit: Duif du Toit

Pakistan-born Tahir, who finished with six for 134, bowled almost unchanged as he weaved his magic through the Warriors top and middle order. His effort helped reduce the homeside to 287 all out and it was the 40th five-wicket first-class haul of his career.

The Dolphins finished the day on 17 for the loss of two wickets.

Devon Conway (10) fell leg before wicket to Andrew Birch while nightwatchman Mthokozisi Shezi (0) suffered the same fate, but this time by the slow left arm of Nicky Boje.

The Warriors won the toss on a bright sunny day, and opted to bat first. But it was the Dolphins who struck first when seamer Quinton Friend had opener Bevan Bennett (8) smartly caught at third slip by Conway high above his head.

Tahir was introduced into the attack as early as the 12th over of the day and he bowled six overs from the Park Drive end managing to pick up the scalp of Jon-Jon Smuts via a leading edge to the safe hands of Dolphins captain Imraan Khan. Smuts had looked good until that point for his 33 off 37-balls.

Friend had Warriors debutant Michael Price caught behind for a well-played 41.

In the meantime, Tahir had switched to the Duckpond end and it was here where started his destruction of the Warriors. He bowled all of 30 overs unchanged from that end.

He teamed up with wicketkeeper Daryn Smit to dismiss both Arno Jacobs (10) and Craig Thyssen (13) and the Warriors were reeling at 115 for five.

Thyssen will be disappointed with the way in which he got out dancing down the track and swinging wildly only to be neatly stumped by Smit.

There was some resistance in the middle order including a fine 59 not out from senior professional Nicky Boje, a determined 45 from Kelly Smuts and a watchful 29 from captain Justin Kreusch, which eventually saw the Warriors through to a score of some respectability.

Smuts and Kreusch were also sent packing by Tahir, the latter the victim of a superb, diving catch by Vaughn van Jaarsveld at first slip. The leg-spinner completed his haul by trapping number 11 Reece Williams in front of his wicket.

Tahir was a touch costly at 3.77 per over but he did prove he has the ability to take wickets. However, he will be disappointed that he was not able to knock over the tail quickly enough.

Bowlers Andrew Birch (14) and Basheer Walters (19) shared in valuable partnerships with Boje down the order. Boje’s stand with Walters yielded 50 runs.