The Dolphins moved up to second on the RAM SLAM T20 table and all but ended the Highveld Lions’ attempts to defend the trophy as a high-scoring match at Sahara Kingsmead went the home side’s way.
The Dolphins dominated the game from start to finish thanks to a century opening stand between Morne van Wyk and Cameron Delport that set the foundations for their total of 214 for two.
Although the Lions did their best to keep track with the required rate in the second innings, they were unable to build any meaningful partnerships and eventually finished on 195 for nine.
Dolphins skipper Van Wyk had called on the top order to produce the big scores that had been lacking in their first four games, and they duly delivered.
Van Wyk walked the talk with 44 from 22 deliveries, but it was Delport’s 82 from just 44 balls that really took the game away from the Lions.
After the 105-run stand with Van Wyk, Delport added a further 49 with David Miller, who finished the innings with 60 not out from 40 deliveries.
Knowing that another defeat would just about spell the end of their campaign, the Lions put their foot flat on the accelerator in response to such a mammoth target.
Quinton de Kock (31) and Alviro Petersen (33) both scored quick runs but were unable to maintain the charge, which left Neil McKenzie more or less on his own. McKenzie smashed 61 from 32 balls as several Dolphins bowlers had their figures ruined, but with nobody able to stick around with the veteran it soon became clear that the game was up.
With just three points from six games the Lions will now require other results to go their way if they are to find an unlikely route into the play-offs.
While the Dolphins would have liked a bonus point for their efforts, the four points took them to within 10 of the Cape Cobras’ 25 and one ahead of the Warriors - and the Dolphins have two games in hand.
James Buttler
As the editor of Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author and a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications.
He's unsurprisingly a complete cricket badger!
Latest posts by James Buttler (see all)
- BBL06 Melbourne Stars go top as Pietersen derails low key Scorchers - January 14, 2017
- BBL06 Fawad Ahmed makes Sydney roar like Thunder to tame city rivals - January 14, 2017
- BBL06 Ben McDermott stuns Renegades as Hobart Hurricanes win record breaking game - January 12, 2017
