Only one innings was playable on a rainy Friday night at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, where the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and WSB Cape Cobras ended up sharing the spoils and two points each in their thrilling RAM SLAM T20 Challenge encounter.
Rain disruptions have played spoilsport for the Dolphins this season as this wash-out marked only their second played match out of six. Tough luck for the Durban side with their last three fixtures washed out by the unpredictable elements.
The Dolphins won the toss and opted to field, immediately setting the tone as Mthokozisi Shezi took the prized wicket of Temba Bavuma in the third over.
Cobras’ wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne was next to fall, stumped cleanly by Dane Vilas off Imran Tahir’s bowling for 14 runs, leaving the Cobras reeling at 40/2. JP Duminy joined the impressive Hashim Amla, and the duo put on a tidy 33-run partnership for the third wicket.
However, a sharp delivery from Keshav Maharaj had Amla trapped LBW for a solid 40, shifting momentum slightly.
Despite the changes, the Cobras were looking good at 73/3 after 11 overs with Qaasim Adams entering to partner with Duminy.
Adams fought valiantly, complimenting Duminy’s aggressive stroke play. Though Duminy’s innings saw a slight hiccup with a dropped catch by Sarel Erwee on the deep midwicket fence at 56 runs, he dominated the crease.
Imran Tahir struck late to dismiss Adams on the last ball of the 19th over for 23, as the Cobras closed on 147/4.
In the final over, Duminy unleashed fireworks on Andile Phehlukwayo, hammering 24 runs including three massive sixes and a boundary, finishing on an unbeaten 85 off 44 balls to lift the Cobras to a formidable 172/4 in the 20 overs.
Sadly, the Dolphins’ reply barely got underway. Sarel Erwee was out early, chopping on to a Dane Paterson delivery for six, with the Dolphins at 8/1 after just 13 deliveries when the umpires called off play due to rain and lightning striking Kingsmead.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins will regroup and head to Port Elizabeth to face the Warriors at St George’s Park in their next RAM SLAM T20 Challenge fixture on Sunday.
For more details, visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za
Stay up to date with the latest Hollywoodbets Dolphins news by clicking here!
