Jon-Jon Smuts tried to keep the Dolphins in the game, however, wickets and scoreboard pressure meant the Dolphins couldn’tget enough momentum in their batting innings. Picture: SUPPLIED
Dafabet Warriors were in top form during the Hollywoodbets Dolphins One Day Cup on Sunday, February 16, at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
A brilliant 148 not out from Dafabet Warriors, Jordan Hermann and 4/23 from Andile Mogokane subjected the Hollywoodbets Dolphins to a 126 run One Day Cup defeat against the Dafabet Warriors. The visiting side from Gqeberha were able to dictate the match for the most part having notched up a score of well over 300.
Jon-Jon Smuts and Romashan Pillay’s partnership threatened to keep the Dolphins in the game. However, wickets and scoreboard pressure meant the Dolphins couldn’t get enough momentum in their batting innings. After winning the toss and batting first, the Warriors openers gave their side a solid platform and were patient from the start.
In some tricky batting conditions early on Hermann and Diego Rosier went past 50 for the first wicket in the 12th over of the innings.
After 16 overs the Warriors had moved on to 69 without loss. Rosier was 27 not out and Hermann unbeaten on 31 as the visitors started to compile a strong start to their innings. The Dolphins did pick up their first wicket when Rosier holed out to Smuts at deep square leg off the bowling of Andile Simelane for 32. The wicket came at just the right time for the Dolphins who had the Warriors 77 for one in the nineteenth over.
Hermann brought up his hundred off 115 balls in the 41st over of the innings. The Warriors added 100 runs in that period without losing a wicket as they finished on 343 for two from their 50 overs. Dafabet Warriors won 343/2 and Hollywoodbets Dolphins came in at 217. The
Warriors won by 126 runs.
CEO of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom said they were encouraged by the turn out at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Sunday. He added that there is clearly an appetite for live cricket and to see the number of children at the ground was exciting.
“The Stadium has tried to price tickets in a way that gives people value for money and Sunday’s turnout was a testament to that,” said Strydom. “KZN Cricket has launched their Family Pack for the One Day Cup. This offer includes four tickets for R40 and is part of their vision to spread the love of the game.”
He said that despite the result there was a festive, upbeat energy and atmosphere around the ground on Sunday. With two more home matches in the competition, KZN Cricket are hopeful that the fans can continue to come and support their team.
“We have got a mid-weekday and night match coming up and cricket under lights is always an exciting prospect for fans. We encourage supporters to keep an eye on our social media accounts about ticket specials for the two matches. The final group stage home game will be another day and night match on Friday, March 7,” said Strydom.
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins are on the road this week. They will face Goldrush Boland at Boland Park in Paarl on Wednesday.