It’s been a fruitful weekend for the Dolphins, as they’ve gone up 2-0 beating the Titans and the Knights, with Grant Roelofsen scoring two half-centuries.
The Dolphins have scored a resounding 76-run victory in the opening match of the Momentum One Day Cup at Potchefstroom.
Grant Roelofsen started off briskly, but a middle-order collapse threatened to take away the momentum. Half-centuries from Senuran Muthusamy and Proteas star Andile Phehlukwayo improved the situation and helped drive the Dolphins to a competitive score of 272.
Dayyaan Galiem was the pick among the Titans bowlers, with an excellent early spell. It was a tough return to franchise cricket for the newly signed ex-Proteas quick Kyle Abbott, who finished with 1/55 in 9 overs.
During the chase, the Dolphins seamers put the pressure on fairly early. Rob Frylinck and Kerwin Mungroo claimed the wickets of the openers within the first 10 overs. From then on, the Titans found it more difficult to score quickly and build partnerships. Rising all-rounder Ruan de Swardt chipped in with a 3-wicket haul, which included the wicket of the well-set Theunis de Bruyn.
Muthusamy’s all-round show culminated in an economical, impactful outing with the ball. He trapped Rubin Hermann lbw and took a catch off his own bowling from Sibonelo Makhanya.
The Dolphins have a spring in their step after a dominant performance across all skills. They will face the Knights tomorrow, and it should be an exciting encounter.
Dolphins 272/7 in 50 overs (Muthusamy 70*, Roelofsen 65, Phehlukwayo 51 – Galiem 2/22, T Ntini 2/62)
Titans 196/8 in 50 overs (de Bruyn 36, T Ntini 32* – De Swardt 3/30)
On Sunday they recorded another convincing win, this time against the VKB Knights.
Grant Roelofsen was the star of the show, scoring his second consecutive half-century, putting on 90 with Ruan de Swardt and another 74 with seasoned Proteas batsman David Miller. The Knights took wickets at regular intervals, and a late cameo from Rob Frylinck took his side to 290.
During the chase, the Knights lost Jacques Snyman early, and an economical spell from Frylinck kept them under the pump. As they were beginning to gain momentum, the Dolphins kept them in check with frequent wickets. A brisk 54 from Andries Gous kept them in the game, but after he got out, the middle order wickets fell away rather quickly.
It was a spirited team effort with the ball, with six bowlers sharing 9 wickets between them, setting up a comfortable 53-run win.
Dolphins 290/8 in 50 overs (Roelofsen 92, Miller 57 – Snyman 2/52)
Knights 237 in 46.1 overs (Gous 54, Behardien 45 – Frylinck 2/14, de Swardt 2/38)
Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
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