Jacques Rudolph smashed 83 off 59 balls as Titans crushed Perth Scorchers in CLT20 opener
Jacques Rudolph blasted an unbeaten 83 off 59 balls as Titans crushed Perth Scorchers by 39 runs in the opening game of Champions League Twnety20 at SuperSport Park, Centurion on Saturday.
Jacques Rudolph, slamming nine boundaries and three sixes on his way, shared a century opening stand with Henry Davids (54 off 38) as Titians posted a challenging the total of 163-4 after being put to bat.
In reply, Mitchell Marsh scored a fighting half-century but the target remained beyond Scorchers’ approach and they could manage to reach 124-7.
Seamer Cornelius Villiers laid the foundation of Scorchers calamity by claiming opener Shaun Marsh (7) and Marcus North (0) in the successive balls and finished with 3-16.
The quick dismissals sparked a collapse in Scorchers batting line as they were slumped to 6-81 in 15 overs. However, Australia all-rounder Marsh taught the specialist batsmen to counter the bowlers and smashed unbeaten 52 off 41 balls, cracking five boundaries and a six.
Earlier, Jacques Rudolph and Davids set the tone for Titan’s challenging total by delivering a 109-run first-wicket stand in 12.2 overs. The two batsmen played sparkling shots all over the park entertained the spectators.
The blistering partnership between the openers ended with the dismissal of Davids, who hit four sixes and as many boundaries before being bowled out off spinner Michael Beer.
Jacques Rudolph continued the anticipation towards competitiveness in the company of Martin Jaarsveld (19) and stitched up quick-fire 53 runs with him before the latter fell to pacer Joe Mennie.
Pacer Nathan Rimmington was the best Scorchers bowler with the convincing figures of two for 20.
