Durban - An outstanding display of big hitting by David Miller and a four-wicket haul from Mthokozisi Shezi have carried the Dolphins into the Ram Slam T20 final as they beat the Titans by 31 runs in Thursday’s play-off qualifier at Kingsmead.
Miller’s incredible 93 not out from just 37 balls took the Dolphins to a formidable total of 200 for four on a ground with an average first-innings score of 154, before Shezi picked up key scalps as the Titans were bowled out for 169.
The Dolphins will now travel to Cape Town to face the Cape Cobras in Sunday’s Ram Slam T20 final at Newlands, and will take part in the Champions League Twenty20 later this year.
Miller’s outrageous assault featured no fewer than nine sixes - three of which went right out of the ground.
The most impressive of them came off Albie Morkel in the 15th over and cleared the high stand at the Umgeni End.
The Dolphins had started the over on 95 for four, but the hit kick-started a brutal series of strokes from Miller which included taking 34 runs off Roelof van der Merwe in the 18th over.
Miller went to his half-century off 26 balls during the course of that Van der Merwe over, before finishing the innings in style with a six and three fours off the previously excellent Saeed Ajmal.
A total of 200 was impressive given that the Dolphins had stumbled through the middle part of their innings, yet at one stage the Titans looked as though they might threaten it.
With Heino Kuhn finding his top gear with a 39-ball 76, the Titans raced to 127 for two in the 14th over, which put them ahead of the Dolphins at the same stage of their innings.
However, the game turned when Shezi induced an edge from Kuhn, sparking a collapse that saw the Titans lose five wickets for nine runs - including three in one Shezi over.
There was no way back for the visitors after that, as the Dolphins romped to a deserved place in the final.
Miller’s incredible 93 not out from just 37 balls took the Dolphins to a formidable total of 200 for four on a ground with an average first-innings score of 154, before Shezi picked up key scalps as the Titans were bowled out for 169.
The Dolphins will now travel to Cape Town to face the Cape Cobras in Sunday’s Ram Slam T20 final at Newlands, and will take part in the Champions League Twenty20 later this year.
Miller’s outrageous assault featured no fewer than nine sixes - three of which went right out of the ground.
The most impressive of them came off Albie Morkel in the 15th over and cleared the high stand at the Umgeni End.
The Dolphins had started the over on 95 for four, but the hit kick-started a brutal series of strokes from Miller which included taking 34 runs off Roelof van der Merwe in the 18th over.
Miller went to his half-century off 26 balls during the course of that Van der Merwe over, before finishing the innings in style with a six and three fours off the previously excellent Saeed Ajmal.
A total of 200 was impressive given that the Dolphins had stumbled through the middle part of their innings, yet at one stage the Titans looked as though they might threaten it.
With Heino Kuhn finding his top gear with a 39-ball 76, the Titans raced to 127 for two in the 14th over, which put them ahead of the Dolphins at the same stage of their innings.
However, the game turned when Shezi induced an edge from Kuhn, sparking a collapse that saw the Titans lose five wickets for nine runs - including three in one Shezi over.
There was no way back for the visitors after that, as the Dolphins romped to a deserved place in the final.