Cape Town - The Dolphins have secured the final place in the CSA T20 Challenge playoffs with a crushing 65-run victory over Western Province at St George's Park.
In a must-win game for the Dolphins it was their senior players that came to the fore. After a disastrous start that saw the Dolphins slip to 13/3 after just 14 balls of the innings, the experienced Khaya Zondo led the recovery with an undefeated 59 off 51 balls.
Zondo received solid support from youngsters Ruan de Swardt (22) and Bryce Parsons (28) initially, but the real impetus was provided by Andile Phehlukwayo who clubbed 25 not out off just 12 balls (2x4, 2x6) to lift the Dolphins to 148/5.
GAME 1 RESULT | @DolphinsCricket WON BY 65 RUNS@DolphinsCricket stamp their ticket to the #CSAT20Challenge semi-final with a vital victory over log leaders @WP_Blitz 🦈🎟#BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/lJmYMorPjE
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 23, 2022
Phehlukwayo's assault on two of the leading bowlers in the competition Wayne Parnell and Beuran Hendricks during the death overs would particularly have pleased national convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang who was in attendance at St George's Park.
Province's spin bowlers George Linde (2/24) and Aviwe Mgijima (2/25) had shown the Dolphins the blue print to attain success on the sluggish surface and they duly followed suit by utilizing captain Prenelan Subrayen and Bryce Parsons to good effect.
Subrayen (2/17) was superb with the new ball before Parsons (3/22) kept the noose on during the middle overs with his left-arm wrist spin.
It was, however, a complete bowling performance with seamers Ethan Bosch (1/9), Ottniel Baartman (2/16) and Phehlukwayo (2/16) all chipping in to dismiss WP for a paltry 83 all out.
The Dolphins bonus point victory meant that the afternoon clash between the Warriors and North West was now reduced to a dead rubber.
@ZaahierAdams