Durban – An inspired bowling display from the Hollywoodbets Dolphins saw them to a 26 run Momentum One Day Cup win over the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras at Newlands on Wednesday.
The Dolphins made it four wins from their first five games of the competition after defending what was thought to be a moderate 183 for eight in their fifty overs.
On a tricky wicket the Dolphins battled through the first half of their innings with only Grant Roelofsen getting a start as he made 40 before nicking off to Thando Ntini.
Khaya Zondo threatened to post a score of significance for the Dolphins, however he was dismissed for 21 with the score on 101.
At that stage the Dolphins were 101 for seven with Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen at the wicket.
The captain Maharaj scores an invaluable 50 not out for the visitors while Subrayen chipped in with a crucial 28.
Their partnership was worth 66 which gave the Dolphins something to bowl at in the second half of the match.
The Dolphins were consistent with the ball throughout and managed to pick up wickets regularly which kept the pressure on the Cobras.
Maharaj showed his current form picking up four for 24 in his ten overs which included the wickets of both Janneman and Pieter Malan, Jonathan Bird and Kyle Verreynne.
Aviwe Mgijima was the brilliant lone hand for the Cobras at the death with wickets falling around him.
He lost his final partner as Akhona Mnyaka was bowled by Daryn Dupvillon, stranded on 69 not out.
Dupavillon finished the innings with three scalps of his own, three for 39 in seven and a seven and a half overs.
Okhule Cele, Prenelan Subrayen and Senuran Muthusamy each picked up a wicket each to help the Dolphins consolidate their spot at the top of the log.
Dolphins captain Maharaj led the side to an important win and was awarded man of the match and spoke to SuperSport about the importance of him and Subrayen steadying the ship at the back end of the innings.
“We started well with the bat but collapsed in the middle order meant that Subs and I knew that we had to bat out the 50 overs,” Maharaj said. “I always thought that we had a chance if we gave ourselves the full fifty overs to bat.
“It was important that we never panicked and kept moving the game forward because anything over 160 on that wicket was beneficial given the amount of turn that was on offer.”
Maharaj was once again full of praise for his bowling unit who were crucial in getting them a fourth win of the competition.
“It was definitely a team effort and bowlers stuck their hand up and took on the task when I asked them to.
“We will enjoy this win but we know that there is a lot of fine tuning to do before we become the polished outfit we want to be.”
The Dolphins now face the Warriors on Sunday at the Pietermaritzburg Oval.
