Dolphins climb to top with stunning comeback

File photo – Richard Levi set up a solid base for Cape Cobras with 54 off 50 balls © BCCI

A 57-run seventh-wicket stand between Sibonelo Makhanya and Kyle Nipper off just 26 balls carried Dolphins to the top of the table after a spectacular comeback win by four wickets against the Cape Cobras in Paarl. Makhanya struck his fourth List A fifty, 55* off 38, while Nipper thrashed two fours and two sixes in his 18-ball 32.

Chasing 272, Dolphins lost Morne van Wyk, returning from the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore, for a duck in the second over. Vaughn van Jaarsveld (59) and Sarel Erwee (47) brought Dolphins back to parity with a 107-run partnership before both batsmen fell in the space of four deliveries. Another strong partnership, 53 runs off 58 balls for the fifth wicket, between captain Khaya Zondo (44) and Makhanya put Dolphins on course, before Makhanya and Nipper finished things off with five balls to spare.

Fifties from Richard Levi (54), Keegan Petersen (57) and Dane Vilas (51) pushed Cobras up to 271 after a slow start. The Dolphins bowlers kept chipping away at the Cobras batsmen; the biggest partnership was of 69 runs shared by Vilas and Petersen for the fourth wicket off 72 balls. Seamers Mthokozisi Shezi and Rabian Engelbrecht picked up two wickets apiece, conceding less than six runs per over.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.


Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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