Cape Town - The Dolphins gave themselves an early confidence boost in their Momentum One-Day Cup campaign when they put in a near-perfect performance to beat the Knights with a bonus point at the Pietermaritzburg Oval.
Although they were guilty of finishing their innings poorly, falling from 197 for five in the 44th over to 246 all out, the rest of their cricket showed focus and intensity which translated into a 76-run victory on a sluggish pitch according to the Cricket South Africa website.
Coach, Lance Klusener, had spoken about the need to master conditions at the venue, and he could hardly
After winning the toss and electing to bat - despite knowing that it would be difficult up front - the hosts gained the upper hand through a 71-run stand for the second wicket between Cameron Delport (46) and Vaughn van Jaarsveld.
While Delport played the attacking role in that partnership, Van Jaarsveld took up that mantle once Delport had been bowled by Werner Coetsee and added a further 65 with Andile Phehlukwayo (31).
However, things began to fall apart when
The pressure created by the two left the Dolphins with plenty to do at the end of their innings, and on a pitch where it was difficult to force the pace, wickets tumbled.
The Knights chase was always in trouble after they lost Gerhardt Abrahams and Rudi Second to consecutive deliveries in Robbie Frylinck’s first over.
Ryan McLaren followed up with the wicket of Diego Rosier, and once Craig Alexander had grabbed the big wicket of Reeza Hendricks for 38 to leave the Knights on 77 for five, the game was as good as up.
Frylinck ended with figures of 3 for 22 in 9.1 overs as the Knights were bowled out for 170 in 46.1 overs.