Johannesburg – A well-paced century by captain Morne van Wyk handed the Dolphins their second win of the One-Day Cup competition as they remained unbeaten with a narrow four-wicket victory over the Knights in Kimberley on Friday night.
Van Wyk got off to an explosive start, smashing four boundaries within eight balls as the Dolphins, chasing 231 to win, raced to 35 runs off the first four overs.
He was, however, forced into a more cautious approach when four wickets fell in the space of nine overs.
The opener stood firm and attracted support from Cody Chetty, who made 30 runs before he was run out by Ryan McLaren in the 31st over, with 101 still needed for victory.
The duo shared 61 runs for the fifth wicket to stabilise the innings, and after Chetty departed, Van Wyk put on a 68-run stand with Daryn Smit.
Malusio Siboto had the skipper caught behind for 107 off 157 balls in the 45th over, for his 20th career ton, with the visitors needing 33 runs to win from 30 deliveries.
Smit maintained his composure to remain unbeaten on 47, and Robbie Frylinck absorbed the pressure in the final over, thumping a six off McLaren to win the game with three balls to spare.
Earlier, the Dolphins attack had struck early, after the Knights won the toss and chose to bat, with Reeza Hendricks getting an edge to wicketkeeper Van Wyk, without scoring, off seamer Kyle Abbott's final ball of the opening over.
Hendricks' fellow opener, Rudi Second, and Rilee Rossouw recovered well with a 79-run second-wicket partnership before Abbott had Second caught behind for 37 off 73 balls.
Rossouw went on to make 90 runs from 107 deliveries, with 13
fours and a six, before he was removed by Frylinck with eight overs left in the innings.
All-rounder McLaren upped the run-rate as he propped up a sturdy middle order, contributing an unbeaten 63 at nearly a run a ball and carrying the hosts to 230/4. – Sapa