Cape Town - Veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis delivered a belligerent batting performance on Wednesday on his return to Newlands to spearhead the Cape Cobras' march to the one-day Cup final.
Kallis, playing his first game for the Cobras since 2005-06, struck a masterful 78 not out to steer the Western Cape franchise past the Dolphins' paltry 185 all out.
His heroics earned the Cobras a comfortable eight-wicket wicket victory, and more importantly, first place on the one-day Cup log.
Newlands will now play host to the domestic one-day final next Friday, with the Cobras facing the winner of Sunday's semi-final between the Warriors and the Knights.
Kallis drove beautifully down the ground, smashing Dolphins’ left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for three sixes over long-off in one over.
The Proteas star shared an unbeaten 95-run partnership for the third wicket with English professional Owais Shah (37 not out).
Shah showed his intent from the moment he walked to the crease with a huge six over long-on from the first ball he faced.
The Cobras also had solid contributions from openers Richard Levi (35) and Graeme Smith (33).
Levi again smashed the ball to all parts of Newlands early on, but would have been disappointed that he got out just when he seemed well set.
For the Dolphins, Maharaj at least tasted some success, and will treasure the wicket of national Test captain Smith for a long time after he had the left-hander caught at mid-off.
Left-arm swing bowler Mthokozisi Shezi gained the only other wicket for the visitors.
The Cobras' victory, though, was built upon a solid bowling performance.
Rory Kleinveldt made the most of a late call-up after regular Cobras captain Justin Kemp was forced to withdraw on the eve of the match due to an abscess in his ear.
The burly opening bowler struck telling blows with the new ball before closing off the Dolphins innings. Kleinveldt finished with figures of 3/22.
Loots Bosman was his first victim, followed by Dolphins captain Imraan Khan, which left the visitors reeling at 21/2.
The youthful Dolphins line-up never recovered, with only opener Khayelihle Zondo (67) and Cody Chetty (50) showing any form of resistance during their 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Zondo showed great application, especially against Proteas spearhead Dale Steyn, during his three-hour stay at the crease.
Chetty was more enterprising, with the debutant scoring a well-constructed half-century on his List A debut.
The Dolphins, though, could build no momentum with the Cobras chipping away at their batting line-up.
Steyn (2/35) removed the heart of the middle order, with both David Miller and Daryn Smit sent back to the change rooms by the world's No 1 fast bowler.
Charl Langeveldt (2/35) also stretched his lead at the top of wicket-takers' list in the competition by cleaning up the tail. - Sapa