Dolphins succumb in run chase against Lions

The Lions spinners strangled the Dolphins batsmen in the second innings sharing four wickets between them for just 29 runs in eight overs.

The Dolphins managed to bag the big wicket of Reeza Hendricks in the second over when he was beaten for pace from Daryn Dupavillon and gloved the ball to Sarel Erwee at slip for a duck.

Left-hander Ryan Rickelton was the next wicket to fall. He was caught at point off the bowling of the returning Rob Frylinck for 13.

A 39 run partnership then ensued between Rassie van der Dussen and captain Temba Bavuma before the skipper was well caught by Sibz Makhanya in the deep off Keshav Maharaj for 26.

10 runs later and the danger man Van der Dussen was well caught again by Makhanya but this time it was off seamer Lwandiswa Zuma for 18.

The Wiaan's, Lubbe and Mulder, then put together 35 before Lubbe ran past a Prenelan Subrayen delivery for 24.

At this stage the Lions were 98 for five in the fifteenth over of their innings.

From there Wiaan Mulder took control and the all-rounder smashed 59 off 34 balls which included two fours and five sixes.

He was supported by Dwayne Pretorius who scored 16 off 13 balls as the Lions ended their innings on 159 for five.

The Dolphins chase could not have gotten off to a worse start as they lost Sarel Erwee and Cody Chetty in the first over from Bjorn Fortuin.

Erwee was caught behind while Chetty was out LBW and the hosts were none for two after the first over.

Khaya Zondo and Morné van Wyk then got the Dolphins back into the contest with a quick-fire partnership of 44 for the third wicket.

Zondo was clean bowled for five while Van Wyk was taking the attack to the bowlers.

The veteran continued to score freely until he was caught off a top edge at short fine leg for 44 off 26 balls.

Marques Ackerman then tried to revive the chase but he lost Sibz Makhanya for two at the other end.

Unfortunately for the Dolphins Rob Frylinck was run out at the non-strikers end after the ball deflected off the bowlers hand.

The very next ball Ackerman holed out for 25 and the Dolphins were 83 for seven in the thirteenth over of their chase.

Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen combined to put on 29 off 30 balls for the eighth wicket.

Maharaj was caught for 19 while Subrayen denied the Lions the bonus point with some lusty blows late in the piece.

Subrayen was the ninth wicket to fall for a valiant 31 off 25 balls with two sixes.

The final pair ended with two singles and handed the Lions an 18 run victory.

The 40 year old Morné van Wyk was happy to be contributing to the side and feels that he is in good form going into tough period on the road.

"I am feeling good and the body is good," Van Wyk said. "I have been hitting the ball well and it was nice to hit some nicely today.

"Myself and Sarel (Erwee) got a good partnership at the top last game and I started well today so I am happy with where my game is at the moment.

"The nature of the competition is that you play five games in a week or six in nine days so we have done our preparation and just need to go out there and play well."

The Dolphins will travel to Benoni for their next CSA T20 Challenge clash against the Multiply Titans on Friday.