The Dolphins have successfully made it four consecutive wins, following another laudable showing against the Lions as we wrap up Day 6 of the CSA T20 Challenge.
The home team opted to bat first, and rather than going for a free-wheeling approach, they opted to dig in and lay down the foundation early on. Sarel Erwee was unfortunately run out early, and Ruan de Swardt was bowled by Dwaine Pretorius. But Keegan Petersen and David Miller took on the responsibility to bat longer. Petersen struggled to score quickly, but his 35 was a valuable knock nonetheless.
After Khaya Zondo’s dismissal in the 15th over, it was the perfect time for Miller to open up. He received handy support from Mangaliso Mosehle at the other end, and his unbeaten 56 from 38 propped up the Dolphins to 151, which has often been a defendable score throughout this event.
It’s needless to say that spin has done wonders, as Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen yet again bowled a tight opening spell to prevent the Lions from taking advantage.
Ryan Rickelton’s lean run with the bat continued as he offered a catch to Miller, and fast bowlers Mungroo and Frylinck took the priceless wickets of Hendricks and Bavuma.
Rassie van der Dussen did his best to steer the Lions in this tricky chase, but with wickets regularly falling at the other end, it soon got out of reach. The Lions were bowled out for a modest 110 with three balls to spare. Subrayen was the star of the show with 3/18 in his 4 overs, but take nothing away from Maharaj, whose 1/10 in 4 overs stifled and throttled the opposition. Mungroo, Frylinck, and Baartman impressed as well – each took two wickets and it was truly a remarkable team effort with the ball.
Dolphins 151/4 in 20 overs (Miller 56*, K Petersen 35 – Rabada 1/25)
Lions 110 in 19.3 overs (van der Dussen 33 – Subrayen 3/18, Frylinck and Baartman both 2/26)
It was yet another riveting contest, with both teams in search of a much-needed victory, but the Warriors prevailed today with a clinical all-round effort.
Like it has been for most of the tournament, the top order struggled, as Chris Morris and Lizaad Williams took a total of 3 wickets in the Powerplay. It wasn’t until a solid hand from Wihan Lubbe and the young Tristan Stubb’s that the Warriors stabilized their innings. Lubbe was the aggressor early on, but just when he looked to convert his promising start to a potentially match-turning knock, he holed out to Chris Morris off Simon Harmer.
Stubbs top scored with a quick 44 from 31, and a masterful cameo of 37 from 17 (4 fours, 2 sixes) from Aya Gqamane ensured that 150-160 was definitely reachable. A few more wickets fell late in the innings, but the Warriors had more than an adequate amount of runs on the board. Lizaad Williams, Chris Morris, and Okuhle Cele all took two wickets each.
The Warriors opted to open with spin, which ended up a master stroke as Henry Davids was out lbw off JJ Smuts in the first over. After a sluggish Powerplay, Lubbe dismissed Dean Elgar with his part time offspin.
The Titans’ chase never really got going and the scoring rate hovered around 6 for most of the innings. Aiden Markram held his side together with a decent 31, but unfortunately, no one else could accelerate when required.
Mthiwekhaya Nabe was easily the pick of the bowlers, taking a personal-best 4/21 in his 4 overs, including the big wickets of Klaasen and Morris. Marco Jansen, the new Mumbai Indians recruit, impressed with a fantastic 2/21 in his 4 overs. All in all, it was collectively a scintillating performance with the ball and a score that appeared to be just above par was rather comfortably defended. The Warriors have now moved up to 4th in the league table.
Warriors 157/9 in 20 overs (Stubbs 44, Gqamane 37, Lubbe 35 – L Williams 2/23, Morris 2/26, Cele 2/33)
Titans 114/9 in 20 overs (Markram 31 – Nabe 4/21, Jansen 2/21)
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
