Dolphins progress to top of the log

THE Hollywoodbets Dolphins went to the top of the Sunfoil Series log after their clash with the VKB Knights ended in a draw in Kimberley.

The batsmen took full advantage of conditions after the first day was lost to weather as both sides pillaged over 1000 runs in three days of cricket for the loss of just 14 wickets.

The Sunfoil Series table shake up sees the Hollywoodbets Dolphins go to the top of the table after all three of the matches over the last four days ended in draws.

Having won the toss on Thursday the Dolphins felt that they would be able to exploit some favourable bowling conditions and they managed to pin the hosts back to 85/3 on the first day.

After the strong start with the ball the Knights pair of captain Theunis de Bruyn and wicket-keeper Rudi Second put the Dolphins bowlers to the sword as they put on a mammoth 258 for the fourth wicket with De Bruyn scoring 182 and Second finishing on 125.

The Knights declared their innings on 487/7 on the third day of the game giving the Dolphins a chance to get in some more batting practice with the chances of a result fading.

The opening batsmen Divan van Wyk (34) and Senuran Muthusamy started well and put on 52 before the former was adjudged LBW off the bowling Mbulelo Baduza.

From then on it was all the Dolphins as Muthusamy and Vaughn van Jaarsveld made hay in brilliant batting conditions as they put on a devastating 355 for the second wicket with Muthusamy anchoring the innings for his 181 from 348 balls – which was his maiden Sunfoil Series hundred.

Having come off a brilliant hundred in the previous Sunfoil Series clash against the Warriors, Van Jaarsveld continued his imperious form scoring runs at will in Kimberley as he bludgeoned an impressive career best 203 from 237 balls, striking at 85 runs per 100 balls.

The Dolphins managed to bat until just before tea on the final day before both captains called the game a draw with the Dolphins posting an impressive 538/7.

All-rounder Calvin Savage was in belligerent form as he powered his way to 58* from 66 balls as he and Mthokozisi Shezi put on 41 runs for the eight wicket.

The Hollywoodbets Dolphins now return home for a Sunfoil Series clash with the bizhub Highveld Lions in Pietermaritzburg from 19-22 January 2017.

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