Warriors overcome Dolphins in Durban

A disappointing batting display from the Hollywoodbets Dolphins saw them suffer a seven wicket loss to the visiting Warriors when the two sides clashed in their 2016/17 CSA T20 Challenge match at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday, 13 November.

After losing the toss and being inserted by the visitors, the Dolphins lost Cameron Delport in the second over, setting the tone for a below par 20-over batting effort that ended with the home team posting 115/9. Despite the bowlers giving it their all, the Warriors batsmen made short work of the chase, reaching their target in just 15.5 overs to claim a bonus point win.

Starts for Cody Chetty (24 off 27 balls), Robbie Frylinck (23 off 14 balls), Morné van Wyk (22 off 20 balls) and Kyle Nipper (20 off 25 balls) gave the Dolphins a glimmer of hope however the regular fall of wickets stunted the Durban outfit’s progress. “They played better than us,” admitted in-form all-rounder Frylinck afterwards.

“I don’t think we applied ourselves much with the bat; there were a lot of soft wickets which didn’t allow us to get any momentum or build any partnerships.

“It wasn’t our skills that let us down but more our application.

“I don’t think it was a wicket where the ball was coming onto the bat for us to then be able to hit over the top and I don’t think we assessed the conditions well enough when we were batting.”

Despite the modest target the Dolphins set, the hosts were determined to give it their all in the field.

While Andile Phehlukwayo dug deep to pick up 2/3 in his two overs, Jon-Jon Smuts’ 54 off 39 balls and Colin Ackermann’s 41* off 39 balls meant the Dolphins bowlers weren’t able to leave their mark on the low scoring affair.

In spite of the results, the Dolphins team remains a positive one, eager to put in a better performance in front of their home fans on Wednesday, 16 November when they host the bizhub Highveld Lions at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban.

“We don’t like losing but the team is still in a good space, the changeroom has been very positive the whole season so far and I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon,” said Frylinck.

The occasion was also a bitter-sweet one for 27 year-old Dolphins opening batsman Delport, who celebrated his 100th T20 match on Sunday.

Delport started his T20 career for the Dolphins on 19 February 2010 in Potchefstroom against the bizhub Highvled Lions and has also represented Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan Super League), Leicestershire (NatWest T20 Blast), Sydney Thunder (Big Bash League) and Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel (Caribbean Premier League).

Six years after his maiden Dolphins T20 appearance, the hard-hitting left-hander – who averages 25.58 and boasts a strike rate of 135.61 in T20s – only managed a single before he was caught and bowled by Andrew Birch, who claimed 3/16 in his four overs for the Warriors.

DolFANS are encouraged to head down to the Durban venue for the approaching midweek clash and get behind their boys as they look to get a win under their belts before going on the road for four back-to-back matches.

Tickets are available from the stadium’s ticket office or www.ticketpro.co.za from as little as R30. More information can be found at www.dolphinscricket.co.za.