Hamza's milestone signals a return to order after two days of farce

Zubayr Hamza had his arms outstretched, a bright smile on his face and a hundred to his name. 

A milestone in a final is something to cherish, and the 18th century of his career in his 100th First Class match had put the DP World Lions in a dominant position in this championship decider for the Four-Day Series against the Momentum Multiply Titans. 

It allowed the home team to declare on 413/7, with Hamza’s 103 the highest score of an innings that has included half centuries — from Mitchell van Buuren (73) and Bjorn Fortuin (62). The Lions then reduced the Titans to 17/3 before bad light ended the third day’s play.

Lutho Sipamla, generating pace and movement in a magnificent short burst, trapped Titans skipper Neil Brandt lbw for 9 and then found the outside edge of the in-form Dewald Brevis first ball, with Wandile Makwetu taking an excellent diving catch at third slip.

Hamza’s innings, the declaration, and then Sipamla’s spell, all added some normalcy to a match that until Friday afternoon had been anything but.

A full day was lost even as the sun shone on Thursday, due to a wet outfield. Friday was farcical, with more delays because of the field, the boundary rope being brought in because of dampness in one corner of the ground, while the toss also had to take place twice. “It’s been very difficult,” Hamza admitted.

“Over the past few weeks, we’ve not had much time in the middle. With five days set aside for the final, having one and a bit days (lost) already, makes it harder strategically. If we had that extra time, we’d have carried on batting, but we’re restricted now, so we’ve had to declare and hopefully we have enough on the board.”

The bowlers — including spinner Bjorn Fortuin, who dismissed Joshua van Heerden with his first ball — have made that declaration appear perfectly timed.   

Hamza has always been viewed as one of South Africa’s top talents, and a long international career was forecast. But a drugs ban, a loss of confidence and wider disruption at Proteas level at the time he started, meant that aged 29, he’s been limited to just eight Tests. 

The last of those was in New Zealand last year as part of that “C team” Cricket SA was forced to select, but Hamza put too much pressure on himself, and failed to take the opportunities on offer in that short series. 

This season, he’s been the Lions’ leading run-scorer, and he made his form count yesterday. “Batting coach Hashim (Amla) and head coach Russell (Domingo) have told me consistently that I’m in good form and not to take it for granted,” said Hamza. 

“For me, it’s more mental, to push through the tough periods and now when I’ve had good form, to stick to — not necessarily a more boring approach — but being more disciplined. I’d have liked a lot more hundreds throughout the season having batted quite nicely. This is, however, a nice cherry on top at the end of the season.”