File photo – JJ Smuts scored an unbeaten 49 and returned 2 for 13 in a comfortable Warriors win © CPL/Sportsfile
The Warriors bowlers bundled Knights for 93 in Port Elizabeth for a dominant eight-wicket win, their third straight victory and fourth in five matches to stay second on the points table, behind Titans.
Knights saw only the toss and a few early overs go in their favour before a run-out broke the opening stand in the last over of the Powerplay. They lost Patrick Kruger (37 off 26) and Andries Gous within the space of five balls, leaving them on 47 for 3. The collapse started with captain Theunis de Bruyn’s wicket as the Warriors bowlers combined to wipe out the remaining seven wickets for only 31 runs. Only four batsmen reached double figures. Andrew Birch, JJ Smuts, Ayabulela Gqamane and Colin Ackermann all struck twice each.
Smuts troubled Knights when he opened in the chase too, striking a rapid unbeaten 49 off 35 balls with seven fours and two sixes. He saw two wickets fall – of Somila Seyibokwe and Colin Ingram (23) – before sealing their win with a six over long-on in the 12th over.
Opener Cameron Delport blitzed a 33-ball 62, in an innings that featured six fours and three sixes, to help Dolphins ace their chase of 171 against table-toppers Titans in Durban. He added a 60-run opening stand off 34 balls with Morne van Wyk to set the tone for the chase.
Although van Wyk and Kevin Pietersen were dismissed in quick succession – in the space of nine balls – Delport ensured the asking rate didn’t climb. By the time he was bowled by legspinner Shaun von Berg in the 11th over, Dolphins needed just 64 off 65 balls. Contributions from Cody Chetty (29), Khaya Zondo (26) and Robbie Frylinck (12) carried Dolphins home with four balls to spare.
That Dolphins faced a challenging target after Titans were reduced to 35 for 3 was down to Farhaan Behardien‘s unbeaten 40-ball 72. Frylinck took two of those wickets in the Powerplay. Subsequent partnerships with Heino Kuhn (30) and Albie Morkel (29) of 66 and 69 respectively brought Titans back into the game. Titans were able to plunder 59 off the last five overs.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo