A well-constructed 84 from Sarel Erwee, and best Momentum One Day Cup figures of 4/46 from Athi Maposa helped the Hollywoodbets Dolphins to a bonus point seven wicket victory over the VKB Knights at Saraha Stadium Kingsmead on Friday.
The Knights decided to take first strike at a blustery Kingsmead and once again the Dolphins got off to a strong start with the dangerous Rudi Second falling for 6 in the fourth over to Calvin Savage.
Patrick Kruger was the second Knights wicket to fall, bowled by Rob Frylinck for 14 from 14 balls. Grant Mokoena was the third Knight out in the first 10 overs when he was adjudged LBW off the bowling of Savage to hand the quick his second wicket and restrict the Knights to 36/3 in the first 10 overs.
There was a consolidation between David Miller and Keegan Petersen as they put on 47 for the fourth wicket before the latter became Athi Maposa’s first victim when he skied a short ball to substitute fielder Smangaliso Nhlebela for 15.
Nhlebela came on the field following an unfortunate injury to Cody Chetty after he dislocated his left shoulder saving a certain boundary in the covers.
Former Dolphin David Miller then showed his class as he stroked his way to an effortless half century. Then following the early loss of Ryan McLaren (3) he found a more than willing foil in Werner Coetsee.
The pair put on 75 off 85 deliveries for the sixth wicket and threatened to take the game away from the home side.
Maposa, who missed out on the win against the WSB Cape Cobras on Wednesday, showed why coach Grant Morgan has backed him as he had Miller caught at mid-on for 79 from 71 balls.
Miller was the left-arm seamers third victim before Shadley van Schalkwyk became his fourth and final wicket. Maposa can thank Prenelan Surayan who took a stunning one handed catch in the slips to see off the Knights’ Van Schalkwyk.
His figures of 4/46 were his best figures for the Dolphins in his short 50 over career with the franchise.
In an inspired move Dolphins captain Khaya Zondo brought on left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy in the 39th over and in his two overs he snared the dangerous Coetsee for 38 and had Marchant de Lange caught for 18.
The Dolphins chase was never really in doubt as openers Sarel Erwee and Morné van Wyk put on 41 in 49 balls for the first wicket before Van Wyk was brilliantly caught by Rudi Second off McLaren for 22.
Senuran Muthusamy then looked positive as he and Erwee continued to score freely before Muthusamy became McLaren’s second wicket when he fell for 14. The Dolphins were well on their way at 83/2 from 33 overs.
Captain Khaya Zondo joined Erwee and they quietly went about chipping away at the Knights’ 193.
Erwee fell agonisingly short of a hundred when he holed out to Patrick Kruger for a well played 84 from 109 balls.
Zondo (43*) and Sibz Makhanya (12*) then took the home side to a comfortable seven wicket victory.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins travel to Bloemfontein to play the VKB Knights in their next Momentum One Day Cup fixture on Sunday, 14 January.
