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Durban - The Highveld Lions were rampant on the opening day of their Supersport Series match against the Dolphins at Kingsmead on Thursday.
At close of play, the Lions had 131 for one in reply to the Dolphins’ first innings score of 185 all out. They trail by 54 with nine wickets standing.
The Dolphins were 103 for five at lunch, and wickets continued to fall after the break. Zander de Bruyn took four for 65 and Craig Alexander three for 34, while Tabraiz Shamsi chipped in with two for 27.
Imraan Khan and Bradley Barnes got the Dolphins off to a reasonable start with an opening stand of 47, before Barnes was caught by Stephen Cook off Craig Alexander for 11, and the rattle of wickets began.
Khan made 40 before he was leg before wicket to Robbie Frylink, but no-one else managed to get beyond the teens before Kyle Abbott saved the Dolphins’ blushes with a breezy 50 off 47 deliveries.
He hit eight fours and a six.
The Lions lost just one wicket after tea, with Alviro Petersen caught by Hashim Amla off Mthokozisi Shezi for 50.
Cook was not out on 51 and Jonathan Vandiar had 16.
The Dolphins are currently at the bottom of the Supersport log, and their performance on the opening day of the final match of the season seems to indicate that they will stay there.
The Lions, on the other hand, could possible creep past the Titans and clinch second place behind the Cape Cobras if they are able to make a significant number of runs.
Ominously for the Dolphins, players such as Neil McKenzie, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, and Thami Tsolekile are still waiting to bat.
