Johannesburg - A middle-order recovery guided the Dolphins to 281 for five in their first innings on day one of their SuperSport Series match against the Highveld Lions in Durban on Thursday.
Opening batsman Imraan Khan stood firm after the Dolphins won the toss, but Divan van Wyk and Devon Conway fell cheaply to leave them in early trouble at 30 for two.
Vaughn van Jaarsveld managed to get some momentum going with Khan, but as the partnership began to build, Brett Pelser had Van Jaarsveld caught by Richard das Neves for 26 shortly before lunch.
The rest of the middle order, however, added significant contributions, with Glen Addicott combining in a 79-run stand with Khan for the fourth wicket as they batted through most of the second session.
Addicott was caught behind by Quinton de Kock off the bowling of Das Neves for 50 to break the stand, and three overs later Khan joined him in the dressing room.
Left-arm spinner Dale Deeb had Khan caught by Dominic Hendricks for a patient 59 off 181 balls, but the Dolphins skipper had stuck around long enough to lead a revival.
David Miller and Daryn Smit then took control and batted for more than 40 overs before the close.
They paired up for an unbeaten 126-run sixth-wicket partnership, with Miller on 81 and Smit on 38 when stumps were drawn. - Sapa