The Hollywoodbets Dolphins have booked their spot in the Momentum One Day Cup semi-finals, but will have one final round robin hurdle when they take on the bizhub Highveld Lions at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
The clash does hold some significance in that if the Dolphins win then they will have a good chance of retaining their second place spot which will mean they will host a semi-final next week. The WSB Cape Cobras are a point adrift and will take on the Warriors on Saturday.
Dolphins coach Grant Morgan reflected on their convincing nine wicket win over the Warriors on Wednesday and was proud of what the team achieved having gone into the match on the back of three loses.
“We bounced back well on Wednesday and we went into the game having made some brave selections and we came out triumphs,” Morgan said.
“There are still improvements to be made especially in the field but we are working really hard on our fielding but we are still missing opportunities every game.
“We didn’t concede one extra in the whole game which was something completely unique for me in my career!”
With his second competition hundred for the season Sarel Erwee moves into second spot on the run scorers list with 354 runs in six games. He is currently scoring at 106 runs per 100 balls and is averaging 88.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld has also been prolific for the Dolphins and sits in fourth place on the run scorers chart with 340 runs in nine innings.
“Just losing the one wicket and putting together two big partnerships is what we have been looking for and it puts us in a great position to play some positive cricket in Potchefstroom.
“It’s important for us that we maintain this momentum and winning form going into the semi-finals.
“We just want to do well for the people back home, and for ourselves,” Morgan added.
The Lions scored a morale boosting win over their Highveld neighbours the Multiply Titans on Wednesday, however the competition is all but over for the Johannesburg side which will be dangerous for the Dolphins as pride is on the line to avoid the wooden spoon.
With a spin heavy attack the Dolphins have relied a lot on Keshav Maharaj, Prenelan Subrayen and Senuran Muthusamy to do the bulk of the wicket taking so far in the competition.
Seamer Okuhle Cele bagged three wickets against the Warriors and young Eathan Bosch has been tidy with the new ball so the bowling attack is finding form at the right end of the campaign.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins v ibizhub Highveld Lions:
Sarel Erwee, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Marques Ackerman, Dane Vilas, Khaya Zondo (c), Sibz Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Calvin Savage, Eathan Bosch, Okuhle Cele, Prenelan Subrayen, Mthokozisi Shezi, Kerwin Mungroo, Lwandiswa Zuma.
For more information visit www.dolphinscricket.co.za.
