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Daryn Smit of the Dolphins congratulates Mthokozisi Shezi (Gallo Images)
Paarl - Mthokozisi Shezi claimed career-best figures to help the Dolphins stun the Cape Cobras with a three-run victory in their T20 Challenge clash here on Sunday.
The fast bowler ended with 4/25 from his four overs, with Kyle Abbott (1/48) and Robbie Frylinck (1/23) also playing their part in the closing two overs as the visitors managed to defend their total of 166/5, which was built around David Miller who made an unbeaten 61 off 35 balls.
Stiaan van Zyl was unlucky to end on the losing side after striking an impressive 86 not out from 53 balls, though he had a chance to win it at the death with six needed from the final delivery.
Abbott, however, kept calm and delivered in the block hole, allowing only two to be taken as the Dolphins hung on.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat, in-form Cameron Delport again gave the men from Durban a fast start by clubbing the second over from Rory Kleinveldt for 16, including two massive sixes.
But after reaching 23 off 12, he tickled a fine edge from Johann Louw’s first delivery straight to Mark Boucher behind the stumps.
Captain Imraan Khan tried desperately to get going but managed just two, before skying Kleinveldt to Owais Shah.
Loots Bosman (14) and Cody Chetty (12), the form player for the Durban outfit this season, both fell cheaply as the visitors slipped to 56/4.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Miller, however, found batting much easier as they put on 64 at 8.53 to the over.
Van Jaarsveld fell when he miscued Van Zyl to Dane Vilas at long-off, but Miller and Frylinck (16 off eight) added 46 runs from the final 3.3 overs to help set 166.
In reply, Richard Levi gave his side a flying start with 27 coming inside three overs, before miscuing Shezi high to Frylinck at mid-on.
Van Zyl kept accelerating at the other end, though, and took the Cobras past 50 in a massive fourth over that saw the opener strike Kyle Abbott for four successive boundaries, one of which was a massive six over deep square leg.
Shezi induced edges to wicketkeeper Daryn Smit from Dane Vilas (six) and Shah in successive deliveries, before trapping Mark Boucher (two) leg before to leave the hosts on 59 for four.
Van Zyl, however, finally found someone to stick with him in Andrew Puttick, who contributed 43 off 39.
The opener raised his 50 in 26 balls with a majestic pull off Delport over deep midwicket.
But captain Puttick was sent on his way by Frylinck in the penultimate over after a 92-run stand, and with it the Cobras’ victory hopes crumbled as they fell to a second loss of the campaign.
The fast bowler ended with 4/25 from his four overs, with Kyle Abbott (1/48) and Robbie Frylinck (1/23) also playing their part in the closing two overs as the visitors managed to defend their total of 166/5, which was built around David Miller who made an unbeaten 61 off 35 balls.
Stiaan van Zyl was unlucky to end on the losing side after striking an impressive 86 not out from 53 balls, though he had a chance to win it at the death with six needed from the final delivery.
Abbott, however, kept calm and delivered in the block hole, allowing only two to be taken as the Dolphins hung on.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat, in-form Cameron Delport again gave the men from Durban a fast start by clubbing the second over from Rory Kleinveldt for 16, including two massive sixes.
But after reaching 23 off 12, he tickled a fine edge from Johann Louw’s first delivery straight to Mark Boucher behind the stumps.
Captain Imraan Khan tried desperately to get going but managed just two, before skying Kleinveldt to Owais Shah.
Loots Bosman (14) and Cody Chetty (12), the form player for the Durban outfit this season, both fell cheaply as the visitors slipped to 56/4.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld and Miller, however, found batting much easier as they put on 64 at 8.53 to the over.
Van Jaarsveld fell when he miscued Van Zyl to Dane Vilas at long-off, but Miller and Frylinck (16 off eight) added 46 runs from the final 3.3 overs to help set 166.
In reply, Richard Levi gave his side a flying start with 27 coming inside three overs, before miscuing Shezi high to Frylinck at mid-on.
Van Zyl kept accelerating at the other end, though, and took the Cobras past 50 in a massive fourth over that saw the opener strike Kyle Abbott for four successive boundaries, one of which was a massive six over deep square leg.
Shezi induced edges to wicketkeeper Daryn Smit from Dane Vilas (six) and Shah in successive deliveries, before trapping Mark Boucher (two) leg before to leave the hosts on 59 for four.
Van Zyl, however, finally found someone to stick with him in Andrew Puttick, who contributed 43 off 39.
The opener raised his 50 in 26 balls with a majestic pull off Delport over deep midwicket.
But captain Puttick was sent on his way by Frylinck in the penultimate over after a 92-run stand, and with it the Cobras’ victory hopes crumbled as they fell to a second loss of the campaign.
