Lungi Ngidi took 6-37 to smash the Highveld Lions’ batting lineup and give the Titans the upper hand on day one of their Sunfoil derby.

It was his best innings return in his eight first-class matches – the previous best being 5-39 – and helped restrict the Lions to 180 after they had chosen to bat at the Wanderers.

Ngidi showed he was harbouring no ill-effects from his recent injury when he took three wickets in his first two overs. He sent back Stephen Cook (0), Reeza Hendricks (3) and Rassie van der Dussen (0). Two overs later he added Nicky van den Bergh (7) before Malusi Siboto got a look-in, dismissing Kagiso Rapulana (7). The Lions were reeling at 49-5.

Omphile Ramela and Bjorn Fortuin dug in to make a stand of 100 when Ngidi struck again, having Ramela caught behind for a rugged 63 off 130 balls, and removed Wiaan Mulder (0) three balls later.

Fortuin battled on alone, working his way to 80 off 152 balls (13×4) as his partners fell to Shaun von Berg, until he too fell to the  legbreak spinner.

The Proteas opening pair of Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram put on 80 for the first wicket when Ayavuya Myoli struck in successive overs, having Elgar (34) and Victor Mahlangu (0) caught behind. Markram went on to 49, alongside Heinrich Klaasen (10) when bad light brought an early end to the day. The Titans trail by 84 runs.

Highveld Lions vs Titans scorecard

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images