Boland in pole position following Kaplan's double century and Stuurman's three-for

Boland opening bowler Glenton Stuurman had his way with the Titans' top-order batters late in the third session on Day Two of the CSA 4-Day Series in Paarl, picking up three big wickets to put the hosts in a dominant position heading into Day Three.

There are very few seamers that are as skilful as Stuurman in domestic cricket, and he was always going to be a handful for the Titans' top-order, despite the flatness of the wicket at Boland Park.

The 33-year-old struck almost immediately, dismissing the recently Test-capped Lesego Senokwane with only his second ball before accounting for Neil Brand in his next over, leaving the Titans two wickets down for nine runs inside the opening three overs.

The right-arm seamer would go on to trap Keegan Petersen leg-before-wicket, leaving the visitors in an even deeper hole. While Stuurman’s brilliant new ball-spell closed off Day Two, it was batter Gavin Kaplan who laid the foundation to what was a dominant opening two days for coach Justin Ontong’s men.

Kaplan blasted 238 off 396 deliveries and helped the hosts post a mammoth 616/9 declared. Titans spinner Tsepo Ndwandwa (6/178) took his ninth career five-wicket haul, his second this month after picking up a seven-for against New Zealand ‘A’ earlier this month.

The Titans will head into Day Three trailing by 536 runs with seven wickets remaining, as Lhuan-dre Pretorius (37 not out) and Sibonelo Makhanya (14 not out) look to eat away at the deficit.

In Gqeberha, the Warriors are in control of the proceedings after bowling out Western Province for 182 runs, securing a 99-run lead heading into the third innings of the match.

Seamer Ntando Soni, on debut for the Warriors, put on an outstanding shift, claiming 3/18 in eight overs as the Province batters were blown away by a strong Warriors bowling attack.

Another Warriors debutant, fast bowler Matthew Boast (2/45), put on a good performance as he accounted for top-order batter Jiveshan Pillay (1) and Joshua van Heerden (4) to give the hosts a good start with the new ball.

Leg-spinner Thomas Kaber (2/23) also had his way with the Province batters. Valentine Kitime (54 off 117) showed a lot of maturity for his half-century in the absence of the likes of Tony de Zorzi and Kyle Verreynne.

The Warriors reached stumps with a second innings score of 114/2, and will head into Day Three with a lead of 213 runs with batters Matthew Breetzke (36 not out) and Muhammad Manack (37 not out) still at the crease.

In Potchefstroom, Tusker’ Michael Erlank (200 off 301) blasted a double century to help the visitors set 399 all out in the first innings.

Cameron Shekleton (54 off 74) and Andile Mogakane (67 off 115) played an important hand as the Tuskers put up a competitive total.

In reply, the North West Dragons reached 190/1 at stumps, with batters Lesiba Ngoepe unbeaten on 88 off 120 balls and Raynard van Tonder on 54 off 72 balls.

Ngoepe and Van Tonder put on a 105-run partnership for the second wicket, as the hosts trail by 209 runs heading into Day Three.