Warriors stay alive after record chase

Warriors pulled off the highest run-chase in South Africa domestic history, gunning down 354 with 14 deliveries and five wickets remaining against Titans in Centurion. The win meant that Warriors are still in with a shout of making the playoffs, provided they beat Lions with a bonus point on Sunday and hope that Titans lose to Dolphins in Durban [see sidebar].

Needing more than seven runs an over right from the off, Warriors began the chase on the front foot as their openers JJ Smuts and Michael Price blazed 58 in 5.3 overs. Price added just 11 to that partnership, but Smuts gave his team much-needed impetus by slamming 13 fours and two sixes during a 58-ball 86. Smuts and Ryan Bailey both fell by the 24th over, but Colin Ingram took charge of the chase, stroking his way to 106 - his ninth List-A ton. He was well-supported by Darryl Brown (50) in a 92-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and later by Christiaan Jonker, who smashed 42 off 19 balls to ensure that Warriors broke the record previously held by Titans, who had chased down 336 against Eagles in 2008-09. Titans, however, did not help themselves by conceding 30 extras, including 21 wides.

The result overshadowed what was also a stellar batting display from Titans, which included three half-centuries and a hundred. The team, having been inserted, lost Henry Davids early, but Jacques Rudolph (78) and David Wiese (59) gave them a solid platform. Qaasim Adams and Albie Morkel made the most of it, sharing an unbroken 130-run stand for the sixth wicket to propel Titans to 353 for 5. Adams made 102 off 71 balls, with three fours and nine sixes, while Morkel's 38-ball 56 featured four fours and two sixes.

The result also confirmed Cobra's position at the top of the table, meaning they will host the final next Friday.

Vaughn van Jaarsveld's sixth List-A hundred kept Dolphins on course for securing a home play-off, as they beat Cobras by 25 runs at Newlands. Dolphins, opting to bat, rode on van Jaarsveld's 105, and his 90-run association for the fifth wicket with Daryn Smit (30) to make 249 for 9. Cobras never really got going in their reply, and found themselves floundering at 19 for 4 inside 11 overs. Dane Vilas (65) and Andrew Puttick (44) briefly stopped the slide by adding 78 for the fifth wicket. Puttick's dismissal in the 25th over once again opened the door for Dolphins, as Cobras lost four wickets quickly. Rory Kleinveldt (46) and Justin Kemp (31 not out) resisted for 8.2 overs, but Cobras eventually folded for 224 in 46.2 overs. Andile Phehlukwayo was the pick of Dolphins' bowlers, collecting 3 for 54, while Craig Alexander and Robbie Frylinck chipped in with two scalps each.