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Dolphins slay brave Lions

Durban - Commanding half-centuries from Cameron Delport and David Miller were the catalyst for the Dolphins to slay the Highveld Lions by 16 runs in their domestic T20 Challenge clash at Kingsmead in Durban on Wednesday.

Opener Delport bludgeoned 82 off 44 balls, including 14 boundaries and a six, while Proteas batsman Miller smashed three sixes and four fours in his innings of 60 from 40 deliveries as the home side amassed 214 for two -- their highest ever score in 20-over cricket.

Morne van Wyk (44 off 22) also played a key role in an opening stand of 105, while veteran Neil McKenzie top-scored for the visitors with 61 from 32 balls.

Quinton de Kock (31 off 17) and Alviro Petersen (33 off 18) briefly gave the Lions hope at the start of their reply, before they eventually ended on 198 for nine on their way to a fifth loss in six games.

The Dolphins, who won the toss and batted first on a warm evening on the east coast, began with a bang as the opening bowlers were all punished.

The first 50 came in a mere 24 balls, including one over from Hardus Viljoen that went for 17, while Van Wyk was dropped on 26 by Gulam Bodi off Azhar Mahmood at mid-off with the total on 71.

Delport then went to his 50, the fifth in this format, in just 25 balls, followed by the century being raised in only 36 minutes when it came up in the eighth over.

Van Wyk was first to fall when he heaved Imran Tahir down to Dwaine Pretorius at deep midwicket, while Delport followed just after the 150 had come up in the 15th over when he lifted Mahmood to Petersen at long-on.

It was 162 for two when play was then held up for 12 minutes because of a floodlight problem.

Once they resumed, Miller crashed Mahmood for three sixes in an over on his way to a 13th career 50 in 35 balls, with the hosts posting a venue record.

The Lions made an equally blistering start by racing to 50 in the fifth over for the loss of only Bodi (nine).

But they were dealt a major blow when De Kock flicked Robbie Frylinck to Khaya Zondo at extra cover an over later and two more wickets then fell in an over by Keshav Maharaj.

That proved crucial to their cause and despite McKenzie blasting from one end, he lacked support at the other.

Even when he went to his 50 from 29 deliveries, his 18th in 20-over cricket, there was hope as the Lions needed 47 from 21 balls.

But he was trapped leg before wicket by Daryn Smit after clubbing two sixes and seven fours as the men from Gauteng ended the night still searching for a first victory of the season. Sapa

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