An unbeaten 139 from Hollywoodbets Dolphins captain Marques Ackerman in their 4-Day Domestic Series clash against the Imperial Lions saw them to a historic eight wicket win at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.
The Lions, who declared in both of their innings, set the Dolphins a teasing chase of 258 to win and the mercurial Ackerman got them over the line with a brilliant 139 not out.
His hundred came off just 100 balls as he and Khaya Zondo, who finished 53 not out, guided the Dolphins to a memorable win against the previously unbeaten Lions.
Ackerman ended on 139 not out off just 127 delivers and the captain and Zondo put on a partnership of 146 runs to win the match. Ackerman hit 21 boundaries in his innings which was his highest first-class score.
The Dolphins never looked in trouble in their second innings with Grant Roelofsen chipping in with an important 54 at the top of the innings.
They lost the wicket of Thamsanqa Khumalo early but Ackerman and Roelofsen put together a stand of 110 before the former and a patient Zondo combined to put on 146 for the third wickets.
The result is a first win for the Dolphins for the season after they drew their first four matches of the competition.
Ottniel Baartman was the Dolphins best bowler in the match taking six wickets in a match that saw the Lions declare in both of their innings.
Ackerman was surprised that the Lions declared when they did in their second innings but he knew that it was going to take a big effort from the Dolphins.
“We didn’t expect them to leave us that little to chase in the last innings because it was a good wicket to bat on,” Ackerman said.
“There wasn’t much on offer for our bowlers but they did manage to keep us in the game and when they declared we were really excited and knew that we didn’t have anything to lose.
“The partnership with Grant (Roelofsen) at the start was crucial and then Khaya (Zondo) coming in and playing a gem of an innings was fantastic.”
For Ackerman, this innings was an important stepping stone for him as they move into the penultimate round of the competition.
“I went through a bit of a bad patch at the end of last season and I’ve put in a lot of hard work and the coaches have invested a lot of time in me so they deserve a lot of the credit.
“To be honest it’s great to see that the hard work pay off a bit and it’s great to be able to put in performances like this and win matches for the team,” he added.
The Dolphins have a slight break and will play the GBets Warriors at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium starting on the 27th of January.
SUMMARY OF SCORE
1st Innings
Imperial Lions 428/5 dec (J Richards 151 R Hendricks 136 W Mulder 52* O Baartman 2/57 E Bosch 2/72)
Hollywoodbets Dolphins 337 (G Roelofsen 66 R de Swart 59 K Zondo 44)
2nd Innings
Imperial Lions 166/6 dec (D Hendricks 72* O Baartman 4/48)
Hollywoodbets Dolphins 260/2 (M Ackerman 139* K Zondo 53* G Roelofsen 54)
Dolphins won by eight wickets
