Andile Phehlukwayo has shown glimpses of his best form since switching to the Titans. |
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Lions: 160/2 (Mitchell van Buuren 56*, Zubayr Hamza 46*; Junior Dala 1/32, Janco Smit 1/39)
The Lions remained in control of the proceedings when stumps were called on Day Two of the Cricket South Africa Four-Day Series Final at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.
With the opening day of the fixture completely wiped out due to a wet outfield on Thursday, the toss and start of play were further delayed on Friday as the outfield had not completely dried out.
However, the toss happened just after lunch and play got underway at the Bullring in the afternoon as the Lions won the toss at home and decided to bat first.
Lions captain Dominic Hendricks and Joshua Richard took to the middle and got off to a good start as the inexperienced Titans' bowling attack strayed in line and length early on.
Hendricks took advantage of the inexperience Titans seamer Janco Smit, helping himself on juicy half vollies and short and wide deliveries with the new ball.
While Smit was struggling with the new ball from the Gold course end, right-arm seamer Dayyaan Galiem was getting swing bowling from the Corlett Drive end.
The Titans eventually got their first breakthrough when Junior Dala accounted for Hendricks (15) in his first over. Richards was joined by Zubayr Hamza in the middle and the two brought stability into the Lions innings, putting on a 52-run stand for the second-wicket.
Richards (38) would be the next batter to lose his wicket as Smit got rewarded for his impressive second spell.
Back from a hamstring injury, Titans spinner Tsepo Ndwandwa was brought into the attack relatively quickly.
The 29-year-old was put under pressure by batter Mitchell van Buuren, who immediately took on the aggressor role in his partnership with Hamza.
The pair put together an unbeaten 80-run partnership, with Van Buuren finishing on 56 off 71 while Hamza finished on 46 off 84 deliveries.
The Lions will resume on 160/2 on Day three.