Russell helps Knights to win

Kimberley - Andre Russell struck an explosive 50 from 19 balls and took three wickets as the Knights beat the Dolphins by 39 runs in their Ram Slam T20 Challenge match in Kimberley on Friday.

Coming in with the Knights score on 89 for three after 14.3 overs, Russell struck six sixes as he helped his side post 167 for five in their 20 overs.

Russell shared in a 76 run partnership with top scorer Reeza Hendricks (69 runs from 50 balls), as the Dolphins had no answer for the late-innings onslaught.

Robbie Frylinck was the pick of the Dolphins bowlers with 2/26 in his four overs.

With the win, the Knights remained in third place on the log on 21 points, but surged ahead of the Dolphins who stay on 12 points and end any hopes they had of defending their title.

The Dolphins were in trouble early on in their chase as they fell to six for two in the third over.

Morne van Wyk (39) was joined by Vaughn van Jaarsveld (15) in the middle, as the Dolphins attempted a recovery. Their efforts, however, were cut short as Van Jaarsveld fell victim to Malusi Siboto as the Dolphins lost their third with the score on 47 after 8.4 overs.

Even a defiant 35 runs from 18 balls from West Indian Dwayne Bravo could not rescue his side as the Dolphins were all out for 128 in 18.3 overs.

Russell was the star with the ball for the Knights as well as he returned outstanding figures of 3/17 from 3.3 overs.