Durban – The Hollywoodbets Dolphins Premier League All Stars, presented by Aucor, pushed a Scotland national side to the brink in two T20 matches played at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Monday and Tuesday this week.
The Scottish national side opted to use KwaZulu-Natal and Kingsmead as their base for the past week ahead of their 2020 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Dubai next week.
Scotland coach Shane Burger believes that the two matches served their purpose and then some.
“The DPL All Stars were a fantastic side and they provided us with exactly what we wanted,” Burger said. “To have experienced players like Rob (Frylinck) and Mangi (Mangaliso Mosehle) playing was great for our guys and I’m sure the younger guys in the All Stars team will take a lot from playing an international side.
“The first game we were put under the pump defending a low total and in the second game it was a little different with us putting in a strong display with the bat.
“We showed good character over the two days and it was a great experience for Scotland and for the DPL All Stars.”
Captain of the All Stars for the two games Rob Frylinck appreciated the opportunity that he and his side got to take on an international side.
“It was a privilege and a pleasure to take on an international side like Scotland,” Frylinck said.
“Obviously the results didn’t go our way but I think it was more about opportunities than results.
“It’s a great initiative and it was fantastic to see club players and school cricketers competing against an international outfit.”
In the first game on Monday evening Scotland batted first and put together a defendable 146 for six.
The side relied on the experience of Kyle Coetzer to help them to their total. The captain top scored with 48 from 41 deliveries before he was caught by Rob Frylinck off the bowling of Tyron Koen.
There were contributions down the order with batsman four to eight all getting into double figures.
Of the six wickets that fell Gap Debt Solutions Pietermaritzburg spurs seamer Koen was responsible for three of them, finishing with figures of three for 23 in four overs.
Young Matthew Pollard picked up two wickets and Jesse Smit finished with one scalp.
In reply, the All Stars took the game deep as Luke Schlemmer set the tone scoring 72 off 56 balls at the top of the order.
Mangaliso Mosehle also contributed with 49 off 36 balls, however the Scots held their nerve at the end to win by four runs in an exciting finish.
Josh Davey was the stand-out with the ball for Scotland picking up five for 22 in his four overs.
In the second game on Tuesday the toss followed the same pattern as the All Stars bowled first.
This time Scotland put together a more polished batting performance as they notched up a formidable 196 for seven in their 20 overs.
The game was played during the day after the opening match which was played under lights and the batsmen thrived in the sunny conditions.
Opening batsman George Munsey was in good form falling two runs short of a century, posting a dominant 98 off just 44 balls.
Callum Macleod chipped in with 26 while there were other contributions through the rest of the order.
Amongst the bowlers Rob Frylinck got through his four overs taking two for twenty while Tyron Koen continued his good form with the ball taking two for 33.
Yves Kamanzi, Cameron Gordon and Jesse Smit picked up a wicket each.
The All Stars had to rely on their Protea Mosehle in their chase as the wicket-keeper batsman scored 68 off 38 balls.
Frylinck was also in fine form with the bat as he chipped in with 42 from 26 balls in the chase.
The All Stars took their chase all the way to the final ball, however they ended eleven runs short of the target.
The match aligns with the strategy to expose the Dolphins players and emerging local talent to diverse visiting teams, and making Hollywoodbets Kingsmead a destination for choice for international teams.
