Durban – For a change, it wasn’t the rain stealing the spotlight at the Hollywoodbets Dolphins match, but an incredible onslaught of runs from Morne van Wyk and Dane Vilas. Their stellar performance saw the Durban franchise outplay the Knights by six wickets in a thrilling RAM SLAM T20 Challenge encounter last Friday night in Bloemfontein.
In this crucial penultimate league encounter, the batters delivered some impressive fireworks. Van Wyk dazzled with a swift 70 runs off just 43 balls, while Vilas blasted a rapid 51 off 22 balls. Add to that a fiery cameo from Robbie Frylinck, who smashed 27 from 14 balls near the end, helping the Dolphins chase down the formidable target of 169 set by the Knights in their rain-shortened innings.
This exciting victory inches the Hollywoodbets Dolphins closer to cementing their place in the playoffs, though nothing is set in stone yet. A defeat against the Titans this Sunday could still dash their dreams.
Elsewhere, the Cobras secured their home semi-final spot by toppling the Titans, who have already locked in first place and will host the opening semi-final. The Warriors overcame the Lions in a rain-affected clash at Potchefstroom, positioning the Dolphins well for an away semi-final. However, both the Lions and Warriors still have mathematical chances to shift the standings depending on the Sunday fixtures.
Speaking of Sunday, the Dolphins will host the Titans at Kingsmead. Simultaneously, the Warriors face off against the Cobras in East London, with the Lions taking on the Knights at the Wanderers.
On the day of the match, the Dolphins won the toss and were optimistic after Keshav Maharaj trapped Patrick Kruger early on. However, an hour into the game, former Dolphin star David Miller, alongside Ryan McLaren, appeared set to thwart the Durban side’s chances.
Miller stepped in with the Knights precariously placed at 45 for two in the sixth over. Teaming up with McLaren, the duo aggressively attacked the Dolphins’ bowling, especially targeting Andile Phehlukwayo, whose final over leaked 24 runs. This influx of runs propelled the Knights to a challenging total of 168 for four off 17 overs.
The Dolphins’ bowlers faced tough moments, and the 14 extras conceded, including 11 wides, proved costly. Yet, the batsmen’s power hitting made all the difference.
The chase began shakily for the Dolphins, losing Sarel Erwee cheaply and then Vaughn van Jaarsveld, igniting fears that their semi-final hopes might slip away. But Van Wyk’s outstanding unbeaten 70 anchored the innings, combining patience with bursts of power. Supported by Vilas and Frylinck’s aggressive strokes, the team managed to keep ahead of the required run rate and seal the win with just three balls to spare.
The critical phase came during the ninth and tenth overs, where Van Wyk and Vilas smashed 44 runs off Shadley van Schalkwyk and Eddie Leie respectively. Vilas alone hammered 19 runs off just two balls, capitalising on a no ball, free hit, and subsequent delivery that all went for boundaries.
After a season disrupted by rain, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and their Durban supporters will be thrilled to finally see some uninterrupted cricket action, especially with good weather expected at Kingsmead this Sunday.
For more info, visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za.
