An edge-of-the-seat finale saw the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and VKB Knights end in a thrilling tie at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, in their Momentum One Day Cup clash on Sunday.
Just like the encounter on Friday, the Knights won the toss and chose to bat first, starting strong with their opening partnership between Rudi Second and Grant Mokoena yielding an impressive 67 runs. Mokoena was eventually bowled by Andile Phehlukwayo for 32.
Second kept the momentum going, reaching beyond fifty before taking the wickets of Keegan Petersen for 4 and the dangerous David Miller, who scored 20. By this stage, the Knights were at 124/3 just after the halfway point of their innings.
Patrick Kruger played a vital role for the Knights, scoring a solid 59 off 68 deliveries. He was the seventh wicket to fall, and the last two wickets fell quickly with only one run added, as the Knights closed on 233/9 from their full quota of 50 overs.
The star of the Dolphins’ bowling attack was Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo, returning figures of 3 wickets for 49 runs in nine overs, while the other five bowlers each claimed a wicket.
Chasing at a required rate of just over four and a half runs per over, the Dolphins began shakily, losing their openers Morné van Wyk and Sarel Erwee cheaply, along with key top-order batsmen.
Sibz Makhanya, promoted to number three, scored 21, while skipper Khaya Zondo made 15 as the Dolphins found themselves struggling at 59/4 in the 14th over.
Coming back into the side after recently welcoming a child, Dane Vilas contributed 27 runs as Senuran Muthusamy anchored the chase, smashing 68 off 89 balls to keep hopes alive.
Phehlukwayo also lent a hand with a quickfire 30 runs, while Rob Frylinck (33) and Prenelan Subrayen (21) brought the Dolphins tantalisingly close to victory.
Frylinck hit two sixes off the second and third balls of the last over but gave his wicket on the penultimate ball. In the dramatic final delivery, Prenelan Subrayen was given out for obstructing the field, leaving the Dolphins agonisingly one run short and the match tied.
With this result, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins have opened a two-point lead over the Multiply Titans on the Momentum One Day Cup standings, with the WSB Cape Cobras trailing by one point.
The Dolphins will now gear up to take on the Warriors at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead this Friday, 19 January.
For more information visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za
