Paarl - Pieter Malan was closing in on 900 runs for the season after his unbeaten 175 left the Sunfoil Series clash between the Cape Cobras and the Titans headed for a draw after the third day of action in Paarl on Saturday.
The opener struck 14 fours and 1 six in his 443-ball knock – completing his fourth ton of the season and 27th overall - that left his side on 393 for three by stumps at Boland Park.
They still trailed the visitors by 42 runs, but with only a day to play, a draw in the crucial round nine encounter looked almost a formality as the two title-chasing sides cancelled each other out.
Malan was on 49 at the start of play when his side resumed on 124 for none and extended his opening stand with Andrew Puttick, who made 86 (204 balls, 10 fours), to 163.
Zubayr Hamza (24) then helped add 46 for the second wicket, before another 44 followed with Stiaan van Zyl (17) for wicket number three – both with Malan.
The opener then added another massive stand of 140 unbroken for the fourth wicket alongside Kyle Verreynne.
The young wicketkeeper was on 71 not out (155 balls, 7 fours) at the close with his side closing in on the Titans’ first-innings total.