Ousted from the team for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, South African duo Aiden Markram and Farhaan Behardien gave a timely reminder of their potential ahead of the upcoming World Cup. The two out-of-favour batsmen notched up a List A record 272 run sixth-wicket partnership for the Titans against the Cobras on Friday. While Behardien was unbeaten on 111 off 100 balls, Markram scored 169 off just 129 balls. Markram had also picked up two wickets, helping Titans beat the Cobras by 83 runs.
The previous record was of 267 runs set by Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi for New Zealand against Sri Lanka in 2015. The record partnership for any wicket in List A cricket is 372 by Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels for the West Indies against Zimbabwe at the 2015 World Cup.
Here is a list of highest partnerships by wicket in List A cricket:
Wicket | Runs | Partners | Team | Opposition |
1st | 367* | MN van Wyk, CS Delport | Dolphins | v Knights |
2nd | 372 | CH Gayle, MN Samuels | West Indies | v Zimbabwe |
3rd | 309* | TS Curtis, TM Moody | Worcs | v Surrey |
4th | 276 | Mominul Haque, ARS Silva | Prime DSC | v Abahani Ltd |
5th | 267* | Minhajul Abedin, Khaled Mahmud | Bangladesh | v Bahawalpur |
6th | 272 | AK Markram, F Behardien | Titans | v Cape Cobras |
7th | 215* | Simi Singh, GH Dockrell | Leinster | v N. Knights |
8th | 203 | Shahid Iqbal, Haaris Ayaz | Karachi W | v Hyd (Pakstn) |
9th | 155 | CMW Read, AJ Harris | Notts | v Durham |
10th | 128 | A Ashish Reddy, M Ravi Kiran | Hyderabad | v Kerala |
Markram and Behardien had joined hands when the Titans were in deep trouble. The Titans were reeling at 31 for 5 when Markram and Behardien started rebuilding the innings. As expected, they started slow but shifted gears as soon as they settled down. Markram struck seven sixes and 15 fours in his knock, while Behardien was happy to play second fiddle striking eight fours and four sixes.
Riding on the Markram and Behardien’s knocks, Titans amassed 320 in the allotted 50 overs. In reply, Cobras were all out for just 237 in 40.5 overs.
The knocks, meanwhile, will be a timely reminder to the South Africa selectors about the duo’s potentials. Markram’s last ODI appearance came during the series victory in Australia in November while Behardien last played in the home series against India last year.
Brief scores: Titans 320/6 in 50 overs (Aiden Markram 169, Farhaan Behardien 111*; Rory Kleinveldt 3-36, Akhona Mnyaka 3-57) beat Cape Cobras 237 in 40.5 overs (Janneman Malan 71, David Bedingham 50; Gregory Mahlokwana 2-56, Junior Dala 2-42, Aiden Markram 2-24) by 83 runs.