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Durban - Morne van Wyk chose the perfect time to return to form as his unbeaten half-century guided the Dolphins to an eight-wicket win over the Cape Cobras at Kingsmead to seal their place in the RAM SLAM T20 playoff.
Van Wyk had managed just 52 runs in his previous five innings as the Dolphins failed to register a victory, but a controlled 60 not out from 52 deliveries provided the platform required for the hosts to chase down a target of 143.
The victory lifted the Dolphins back into second place on the table with 22 points, putting them in prime position to host Wednesday’s playoff.
While the Cobras are currently still third with 20 points, they could be overtaken by the Warriors if they beat the Lions on Sunday. The Warriors, who have 18 points, could even earn a home playoff if they win that game handsomely. This match will be shown live on SS2.
The Dolphins’ victory was underpinned by two spells of good bowling - the first at the top of the innings when the pacemen dismissed Richard Levi and Andrew Puttick in the first seven balls, then later on when Keshav Maharaj (2 for 21 in four overs) and Cameron Delport took pace off the ball and squeezed the Cobras.
Wayne Parnell contributed 27 after opening the batting with Levi, but the fall of wickets meant Justin Ontong was forced to anchor the innings with a slow knock of 34 from 46 balls before Robin Peterson (35 not out from 22 balls) and Rory Kleinveldt (17 from eight balls) added 39 in the last three overs.
Nevertheless a total of 142 for seven looked on the short side, and Van Wyk and Delport (39) ensured that the Dolphins had a strong foundation when they put on 69 for the first wicket.
That partnership was ended by Peterson in the 10th over, and the Cobras were given a glimmer of hope when David Miller fell for 10.
But Jonathan Vandiar underlined his striking abilities with an unbeaten 34 from just 12 balls, as the Dolphins cruised to victory with eight deliveries to spare.
