Recalled Protea Rudolph finally flops

Recalled South Africa opening batsman Jacques Rudolph was a notable flop as Northern Titans were bundled out for 112 Thursday on the first day of a South African SuperSport Series match.

Recalled South Africa opening batsman Jacques Rudolph was a notable flop as Northern Titans were bundled out for 112 Thursday on the first day of a South African SuperSport Series match. © AFP

Numerous early-season centuries for the Pretoria franchise saw Rudolph included in the Proteas squad to face Australia at Newlands next month in the first game of a two-Test series.

But after facing 24 balls in 26 minutes and getting just two runs at Willowmoore Park in the eastern Johannesburg suburb of Benoni, seamer Rory Kleinveldt from title holders Western Cape Cobras trapped Rudolph leg before.

Kleinveldt tore through the Titans top order to collect five wickets for the loss of 26 runs and five of his 14 overs were maidens. Johann Louw also wreaked havoc with 3-16 in eight overs.

Cobras were 173-5 at the close -- a 61-run lead -- with opener Stiaan van Zyl scoring 50 off as many balls en route to a 66 that included 10 fours while Andrew Puttick (41) and Justin Ontong (39) also made valuable contributions.

After starting the season belatedly and suffering two consecutive losses, there was no respite for Eastern Cape Warriors in Kimberley as Central Knights finished on 307-8 with Reeza Hendricks (96) and Boeta Dippenaar (84) the top scorers.