Dolphins Stun Titans to Reach 1 Day Cup Final

DURBAN: Keshav Maharaj and Tristan Luus shared six wickets as the Hollywoodbets Dolphins stunned the in-form Momentum Multiply Titans to reach the 1 Day Cup final with a dominant 65-run victory in Durban on Wednesday night.

Rookie Hanu Viljoen also played a key role in the result by striking a priceless half century, his third in as many innings, as the hosts booked a Sunday showdown against Goldrush Boland, in Paarl.

It was an improbable turn around for the home side against a visiting side that had been in prolific form in recent rounds when they trampled anything that was placed in front of them to earn a spot in the qualifier.

The Dolphins had started the game on the back foot after losing the toss and being asked to bat first at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead.

They lost their first five wickets before the 100 was raised as Tshepang Dithole (8), Bryce Parsons (15), Jon-Jon Smuts (22), Khayelihle Zondo (20) and Jason Smith (14) were all out inside the first 26.1 overs.

Former Dolphins all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo was excellent, doing most of the damage with his fine four for 28.

But the hosts regrouped through Viljoen, who made 57 (65 balls, 4 fours, 1 six), and Eathan Bosch (40). The pair put on 86 together for the sixth wicket to take their side up to 177 for five.

But they again found themselves in a fix when Bosch fell to Phehlukwayo, Roelof van der Merwe (2/33) got rid of Viljoen and Andile Simelane (3) also departed.

But Maharaj (25*) and his spin bowling partner Prenelan Subrayen (17*) scrapped to the end to help them reach 228 for eight.

Like the Dolphins, the Titans too struggled in the chase and lost five wickets before the 100 came up.

They began on the back foot as Bosch brilliantly ran out Rivaldo Moonsamy for nine as he attempted a quick single.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius (12) and Keegan Petersen (18) fell to Luus (3/48), while Neil Brand managed just seven as he fell victim to Subrayen (1/35).

Before that Jhedli van Briesies (14) was bowled by Maharaj (3/37) and the Titans were stunned.

Another of their in-form players, Dewald Brevis, did his best and managed to top score with 36, but he lacked support in cameo of 36 off 25 balls, which included four sixes.

Once he fell with the score on 103, the writing was in the wall for the Titans as they succumbed for 163 in 36.4 overs.

Source: cricket.co.za

Shan Masood – Born on October 14, 1989, in Kuwait City, Masood is a talented opening batsman known for his solid technique. He has been a key player in the Test format and has shown great potential in ODIs as well.