Connor Esterhuizen's 98 Fires Lions to Victory
Lions have won by 15 runs. Lions batted first and posted 206/3 in 20 overs. Titans, chasing 207, fell short at 191/7 in 20 overs.
Connor Esterhuizen was the standout in the first innings, scoring 98* off 49 balls (SR 200). 6 sixes and 8 fours provided the impetus. The powerplay yielded 43 runs.
Rivaldo Moonsamy fought hard with 61 off 41 balls, but it was not enough to haul Titans over the line. The required rate climbed too steeply in the end.
With the ball, Siya Plaatjie delivered figures of 2/34 in 4 overs (Econ 8.5). A tidy spell that kept the pressure on throughout.
TIT lead the series 23-4. The pressure is firmly on the chasing side now.
The Turning Point
Over 20 of the first innings was the inflection point — 24 runs came off it, shifting the momentum and setting the stage for a total that ultimately proved too much.
Key Performers
98* off 49 balls (SR 200), 8 fours, 6 sixes
2/34 in 4 overs (Econ: 8.50)
61 off 41 balls (SR 149), 6 fours, 3 sixes
Verdict
Lions showed composure when it mattered most and deserve this victory. Titans came up short by 15 runs. There were passages where they looked competitive, but consistency eluded them when it mattered. TIT lead the series 23-4. The pressure is firmly on the chasing side now.