All-round Dolphins trounce Knights in Bloem
An eighth first-class ten wicket haul for Keshav Maharaj and a twelfth
first class ton from SJ Erwee propelled the Hollywoodbets Dolphins to a
dominant 279 run win over the Itec Knights in the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series on
Wednesday.
It was a strong all-round performance from the Dolphins who batted
brilliantly in the second innings to set up the match. Their bowlers were on
the mark in the first innings which helped them establish a healthy second
innings lead.
Once again Maharaj came to the party in the fourth innings picking up six for 43 which took his match figures to eleven for 105. His bowling efforts were vital in the Dolphins making it back-to-back wins in the 4-Day Domestic Series.
The home side started day four on 84 for two chasing a mammoth 425 to win and the Dolphins bowlers got into their work straight away.
Pite van Biljoen couldn't add to his or the Knights' overnight tally and he was castled by Ottniel Baartman for 27 and the Dolphins had their fourth thirteen runs later. Eathan Bosch picking up his second of the innings, Gihahn Cloete bowled for nine.
Once again Maharaj came to the party in the fourth innings picking up six for 43 which took his match figures to eleven for 105. His bowling efforts were vital in the Dolphins making it back-to-back wins in the 4-Day Domestic Series.
The home side started day four on 84 for two chasing a mammoth 425 to win and the Dolphins bowlers got into their work straight away.
Pite van Biljoen couldn't add to his or the Knights' overnight tally and he was castled by Ottniel Baartman for 27 and the Dolphins had their fourth thirteen runs later. Eathan Bosch picking up his second of the innings, Gihahn Cloete bowled for nine.
Keegan Petersen then produced a moment of brilliance, snaring Patrick Kruger at second slip off Bosch for a duck. The Dolphins sensed victory with the Knights 101 for five.
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The Knights lost their final five wickets for the addition of 44 runs with Maharaj accounting for Patrick Botha, the resilient Rynard van Tonder, Migael Pretorius, Gerald Coetzee and Monde Maqunqu.
Maqunqu was dismissed by a brilliant catch from Andile Simelane at mid-on to wrap up a convincing win for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins.
Maharaj's form is a good omen for the Dolphins and the Proteas as he prepares to take on the West Indies in a two test series, however his focus is firmly with the Dolphins and he's pleased with the team's development.
"On a personal level I'm happy to get a long bowl under the belt and make that transition from T20 cricket into four day cricket, but I am chuffed that things went my way.
"It's been a tough few months from a mental perspective but hopefully this will give me some momentum going into the test series coming up.
"I'm really pleased from a result perspective because we've battled for consistency in the four day competition so it's very pleasing to see guys really stand up and put in two good performances in a row."
Following a disappointing omission from the Proteas test squad to play the West Indies, SJ Erwee would have liked to contribute to the Dolphins cause and he did just that with a resounding century in the third innings to set his side up for victory.
"It's very satisfying getting a hundred in a winning cause," Erwee said before he turned his focus to the team.
"It was an incredible effort from all of us in the batting unit to get us into a position like that and for the bowlers to end it off for us.
"For me it's nice to find some form ahead of three important matches coming up for us as a unit as we try and push as hard as possible to win this four day competition."
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins next take on the Momentum Multiply Titans at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium starting on 26 February.
SUMMARY OF SCORE
1st Innings
Hollywoodbets Dolphins 253 (E Bosch 53, G Coetzee 5/56)
ITEC Knights 165 (K Maharaj 5/62, O Baartman 3/23, M Kleinveldt 43)
2nd Innings
Hollywoodbets Dolphins 336/6 Dec (S Erwee 132, K Zondo 55*, G Roelofsen 49)
ITEC Knights 145 (K Maharaj 6/43, E Bosch 3/12, R van Tonder 63)
Hollywoodbets Dolphins won by 279 runs
