Written by Rick John Henry for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Dolphins vs Lions | Wednesday 15 October | Kingsmead, Durban | 15:00
The Momentum One-Day Cup made a rain-soaked return last week with the first round of clashes, the Cape Cobras taking an early lead with a bonus-point victory over a hapless Knights outfit. Both the Dolphins and the Lions picked up wins in their first outings, over the Titans and Warriors respectively. The Dolphins seem to be in the throes of some sort of resurgence, their T20 exploits blazing a brand new trail for the Durban-based side. The Lions held their nerve in their opener against a Knights team who proved threatening, and will be hoping for a more complete showing on their travel to coast.
To Win
Dolphins 13/20
Tie 35/1
Lions 5/4
Dolphins
The tournament opener between the Dolphins and Titans was a veritable run-fest, no less than three centuries scored in the rain-affected tie at Centurion Park. Losing the toss, the Titans were inserted and proceeded to clobber the Dolphins attack for 340 in fifty overs, centuries from Theunis de Bruyn and Farhaan Behardien the backbone of the assault. All of the seven bowlers used by captain Morne van Wyk travelled, Kyle Abbott’s peculiar figures summing up events. Abbott bowled ten overs for 73 runs at 7.30 to the over, but also bowled two maidens. At the break, the heavens opened in Pretoria and the Dolphins chase was revised to 301 in 42 overs, a mammoth ask. However, captain Morne van Wyk’s 121 not out from 112 balls saw the Dolphins over the line with five balls to spare. A lengthy partnership with Vaughn van Jaarsveld as well as contributions from Daryn Smit and Khaya Zondo ensured the Dolphins began the tournament strongly. They come up against a Lions outfit hungry for success, without the services of Proteas Kyle Abbott and Imran Tahir, both on tour in New Zealand.
Lions
It was a tight-knit team performance as the Lions overcame the Warriors at Potchefstroom. A bright and breezy fifty from Quinton de Kock at the top of the order, as well as a stable 73 from elder statesmen Neil Mckenzie, saw the Lions post 291/5 in their fifty overs, all of the top seven batsmen reaching double figures. The Warriors started positively and JJ Smuts fell just short of century, while Colin Ingram also notched up a half-century. Following the top order’s success, the middle to lower order crumbled under intense pressure from the Lions bowlers, Lonwabo Tsotsobe devastating at the death. Tsotsobe picked up only his second List-A five-wicket haul in 130 matches, a three wicket burst at the back end of the innings fully derailing any fightback from the Warriors. A special mention must be made to Kagiso Rabada, the 19-year-old quick that helped South Africa to the ICC U19 World Cup in Dubai. A close eye must be kept on this emerging talent as the tournament progresses. The Lions will be without de Kock at the top of the order, a big blow in their bid for a good start against the Dolphins.
Venue
The clash will be held at Kingsmead, which doesn’t bode especially well for a tournament that has already been rain hit for two-thirds. However, only light rain in the evening is expected, which could set up a similar scenario to the Dolphins’ previous match. Generally a sticky wicket, don’t expect runs to come all that easy here.
VERDICT: Dolphins 13/20
Both sides come into this match as unified outfits, both building their success through strong team displays. Home ground advantage hasn’t been all that kind on the Dolphins in recent years, but based on their gutsy display in Pretoria and their new-found faith in their ability, I’m backing the Dolphins to come out on top here.
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