Elworthy blunts Strikers' edge

Steve Elworthy's nine-wicket haul spearheaded the Northerns Titans' 139-run victory over the Highveld Strikers in their Supersport Series match at the Wanderers on Monday.

Elworthy swept through the Strikers' batting order with 5-81 on a final day when the Strikers, chasing a victory target of 421, were bowled out for 281 with 16.5 overs to spare.

Elworthy took 4-34 in the first innings, and a consummate bowling performance by the Titans veteran was matched by an equally impressive display with the bat in the Titans' first innings. Elworthy scored an unbeaten 75 in the innings, earning him the man of the match award.

"I think the 75 runs gave me more pleasure than the wickets. It was great to do that in a Derby like this against the Strikers, and I've always been lacking with the runs in the past," Elworthy said.

This is the Titans' second successive victory in the Supersport Series, after they beat the Griqua Diamonds the week before. But while Gerald Dros could not have asked for a better start to their season, his captaincy in this match was called into question. Dros was criticised for an elaborate waste of time in compiling a lead of 420 runs on Sunday, a decision that nearly came back to haunt him on the final day.

The Strikers resumed on 30 for one, and put on only 90 runs in the first session. Daryll Cullinan's dismal performance in this match continued - he was dismissed for 12 on the back of his duck in the first innings. Andre Seymore fared only marginally better with 16 to see the Strikers at 120-3 at lunch.

But Zander de Bruyn began rattling the first ghostly chains in Dros' ear with a defiant 66, including 13 fours off 138 balls and in 182 minutes. De Bruyn and Andrew Hall put on 72 runs for the fifth wicket to further frustrate the Titans.

There were still a few flicks of the Strikers' tail to come. Nic Pothas added a valuable 60 runs off only 97 balls, and shared in a 65-run stand for the eighth wicket with David Terbrugge. But when his wicket fell, Elworthy wrapped up the tail with ease and his captain could breathe again.

"We're still a young side and we've got a way to go," said Dros, preferring not to focus on whether this could turn into a championship season for a side that is one the rise. "If the youngsters can continue to learn as quickly as they have, then I'm sure we've got a chance," said the skipper.