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Dolphins net home semi-final despite Rickelton ton, rain

Cape Town - The Dolphins secured the right to host one of the two One-Day Cup semi-finals after rain washed out their final regular season encounter against the Highveld Lions at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

This despite an impressive performance by the home side, who were led superbly by a first-ever List A ton from Ryan Rickelton.

The left-hander blasted five sixes and 10 fours in an innings of 126 off 119 balls to help his side post 330 for six.

There were also strong displays by Kagiso Rapulana 69 (70 balls, 6 four, 2 sixes) and Temba Bavuma 64 (62 balls, 2 fours, 3 sixes), although their efforts proved in vein after rain washed out the game just 9.2 overs into the reply.

It meant the match had to be abandoned and the points shared, with the two points for the visitors enough to secure them second spot on the final table and a Durban semi-final against the Warriors, a side they shared the title with last year, at Kingsmead next week.

For the Lions, it was a disappointing end to an underwhelming campaign in which their only wins were the double over Jukskei rivals the Titans. They ended the 50-over season as the wooden spoonists.

Either way, a win in the final round would not have been enough after the Warriors won their game against the Cape Cobras to end all hopes of the Johannesburg-based side, who nonetheless gave a good account of themselves in the North West.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat, they piled on the runs thanks to star trio of Rickelton, Rapulana and Bavuma – the former posting his maiden three-figure score to beat his previous high of 93 for Gauteng versus KwaZulu-Natal Inland at Johannesburg in 2016/17.

There was also a strong 41 off 26 balls at the death by Wiaan Mulder. Okuhle Cele was the best of the bowlers, albeit with an expensive four for 79.

The Dolphins then reached 39 for one when rain arrived to ruin the game.

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