In a day of high drama, the Hollywoodbets Dolphins took charge of their 4 Day Domestic Series match against the VKB Knights with returning paceman Daryn Dupavillon leading the charge with a staggering seven-wicket haul.
In his first match back from injury the seamer destroyed the Knights middle order as they collapsed to 116 all out.
In reply, the home side had moved into a stronger position of 169 for seven overnight, a lead of 53.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the visitors made a solid start to their innings and were patient in the face of some disciplined bowling from the Dolphins.
Daryn Dupavillon’s first wicket on a memorable day was that of Matthew Kleinveldt, well caught at third slip by Keegan Petersen.
Jonathan Vandiar and Rynardt van Tonder matched the Dolphins for patience and put together 46 before Van Tonder misjudged a Ruan de Swardt delivery and was bowled for 24.
Dupavillon then picked up the wicket of Patrick Botha, also bowled, close to the lunch break and the Knights went into lunch on 83 for three.
Following the break Dupavillon found a dangerous rhythm from the Umgeni End of the ground and ripped through the middle order of the Knights.
He bowled Vandiar for 39, then bowled Behardien for 16, Mokoena two balls later for a duck and then also bowled Shaun von Berg for two, leaving the Knights reeling at 96 for seven.
Senuran Muthusamy’s accurate left arm spin then came to the fore for the Dolphins as he picked up two wickets in the 42nd over of the innings, trapping both Wandile Makwetu and Gerald Coetzee in front LBW for eight and a duck respectively.
To finish off an incredible innings for himself, Dupavillon trapped Migael Pretorius in front for seven giving him figures of seven for 38 – his second seven wicket haul in first-class cricket.
The Knights innings came to an end on 116 all out.
The Dolphins innings stuttered for the most of the rest of the day although they were able to score fairly freely.
Marques Ackerman made 22, Khaya Zondo added 35 to the total but it was Grant Roelofsen who helped the Dolphins into a strong position.
Roelofsen hit form at the right time for the Dolphins when he ended the day 64 not out with Prenelan Subrayen who’s yet to get off the mark.
