A classy 84 runs by Sarel Erwee alongside Athi Maposa’s finest bowling figures of 4/46 powered the Hollywoodbets Dolphins to a commanding seven-wicket win with a bonus point over the VKB Knights at Kingsmead’s Saraha Stadium on a breezy Friday afternoon.
The VKB Knights opted to bat first under gusty conditions at Kingsmead. Unfortunately for them, the Dolphins struck early with the dangerous Rudi Second dismissed for just 6 runs in the fourth over thanks to Calvin Savage’s sharp bowling.
Patrick Kruger was next to go, bowled by Rob Frylinck for 14 off 14 balls. Grant Mokoena followed, adjudged LBW to Calvin Savage, who had his second wicket and stalled the Knights at 36/3 within the opening 10 overs.
David Miller and Keegan Petersen then steadied the innings, adding 47 runs for the fourth wicket before Petersen fell to Athi Maposa, who induced a skied shot caught by substitute fielder Smangaliso Nhlebela for 15.
Nhlebela’s presence on the field was due to a tough injury to Cody Chetty, who dislocated his left shoulder attempting a boundary-saving dive in the covers.
David Miller, formerly of the Dolphins, displayed excellent form, timing his way to an elegant half-century. Following the early dismissal of Ryan McLaren for 3, Miller paired with Werner Coetsee, putting on a crucial 75 runs off 85 balls for the sixth wicket, putting pressure on the Dolphins.
Maposa, having missed out on a win against the WSB Cape Cobras earlier in the week, came back strong. He etched his name in the match as he trapped Miller caught at mid-on for 79 off 71 deliveries.
That wicket marked Maposa’s third and was soon followed by the dismissal of Shadley van Schalkwyk, his fourth, thanks to a stunning one-handed slip catch by Prenelan Surayan.
The 4/46 figures not only stood as Maposa’s best for the Dolphins but also showcased his rising talent in the 50-over format.
In a clever captain’s move, Khaya Zondo introduced left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy in the 39th over, who quickly made an impact by dismissing the dangerous Coetsee for 38 and then Marchant de Lange for 18.
Chasing 194, the Dolphins confidently built their innings with openers Sarel Erwee and Morné van Wyk laying a solid foundation of 41 runs from 49 balls.
Van Wyk was caught brilliantly by Rudi Second off McLaren for 22, but Muthusamy and Erwee maintained the momentum, before Muthusamy fell for 14, courtesy of McLaren’s second wicket of the innings.
By then, the Dolphins were comfortably placed at 83/2 after 33 overs.
Captain Khaya Zondo joined Erwee and the duo meticulously chipped away at the target set by the Knights.
Erwee unfortunately missed out on a century, being caught by Patrick Kruger for a well-played 84 from 109 balls.
Zondo (43* not out) and Sibz Makhanya (12* not out) then sealed a satisfying seven-wicket victory for the Dolphins.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins now set their sights on Bloemfontein, where they will face the VKB Knights again in their upcoming Momentum One Day Cup clash on Sunday, 14 January.
For more information go to www.dolphinscricket.co.za
