Lions and Titans Into 4-Day Final as Tuskers Secure Treble

JOHANNESBURG: The Hollywoodbets Dolphins narrowly missed out on a place in the Division 1 4Day Series final after suffering an agonising last day defeat to Dafabet Warriors in the only completed match of the weekend played in Gqeberha.

The Durban side went down by 37 runs following a valiant chase at the Dafabet St George’s Park late on day four, handing the Momentum Multiply Titans a ticket to this week’s first-class decider where they will play the DP World Lions in Johannesburg.

Both finalists saw their final round regular-season matches washed out – the table-topping Lions (115.14 points) had their tie against the Knights abandoned without a single ball being bowled in Bloemfontein.

The Titans (108.56), meanwhile, did just about enough to reach the final in their drawn match with Goldrush Boland, which saw just under 135 overs bowled in Centurion.

There was also another complete washout in Potchefstroom where Renault North West Dragons and World Sports Betting Western Province were left frustrated on account of the weather.

That left most of the focus on the Eastern Cape, where the Warriors knew they had to win to control their own destiny.

And they did so remarkably well too, securing a first victory of the campaign thanks to an inspiring all-round showing by their captain Senuran Muthusamy, whose first innings century and fourth-innings five-for were key to victory.

Muthusamy struck an unbeaten 106 (216 balls, 15 fours, 1 six) to help his team post 264 after winning the toss and batting at the start.

The home side then dismissed their visitors for 208 to earn what proved to be a priceless 56-run lead. Christopher King was key with his five for 61 putting the Warriors on top at halfway.

A century by JP King (143 off 179 balls, 14 fours, 5 sixes) then helped the hosts post 325 in their second innings and set a target of 382.

They got 344 of those runs after a fine anchoring job by centurion Khaya Zondo.

The veteran batter made 118 (174 balls, 16 fours, 2 sixes), and helped by Jason Smith (54) and Eathan Bosch (80*), took the Durbanites close to pulling off an outstanding chase. In the end, they finished just short as they ended the season in third with 97.66 points. The Warriors, on the other hand, moved to 72.34 points in eighth.

The Titans, meanwhile, did all they could have done in the overs that were played. They dismissed Boland relatively cheaply – for 252 at SuperSport Park – despite a ton for Pieter Malan (118 off 248 balls, 15 fours).

Then in reply, the batters were sensational. Rivaldo Moonsamy struck an attacking 117 off 125 balls (11 fours, 3 sixes), Dewald Brevis plundered an unbeaten 80 off 57 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) and Neil Brand hit a run-a-ball 61.

That helped the home side to get 323 for six in 48.5 overs and secure the points they needed to hold on to second spot.

The result for Boland saw them finish fourth on the table with 97.00 points, just ahead of Province on 93.84 points.

The Knights’ no result at Mangaung Oval saw them conclude the campaign in sixth with 80.76 points, just ahead of the Dragons on 76.92.

The final will take place over five days, starting on Thursday (10 April) at DP World Wanderers.

Meanwhile, the ACDC Express Tuskers have ended their dominant 2024/25 season with three trophies. They won the T20 Knock-Out and then shared both the 1- Day Cup trophy and 4-Day Series titles.

Following three days of consistent rain and a wet outfield, the Division 2 4-Day Domestic Series final was shared between the Tuskers and the Northern Cape Heat.

Pietermaritzburg was hit by torrential rain during the week and the field couldn’t recover in order for a result to be found which led to a drawn match and shared trophy.

The match saw the Tuskers win the toss and elect to field first which turned out to be a good decision.

Before 30 overs had been bowled the Tuskers had the visiting side 83 for four with Ziyaad Abrahams, Mbulelo Budaza, Marcello Piedt and Sean Whitehead all in the wickets column.

From there the Heat fought back and an unbeaten 49 run stand between Ernest Kemm and Abel Mokwena which took the Heat to 149 for four.

Kemm would be 54 not out and Mokwena unbeaten on 26 when they players left the field and they never returned.

The result sees the Heat win another 4-Day Series crown and they have dominated the red ball competition since the inception of the two division system.

Source: cricket.co.za

Morné Morkel: South African-Australian cricketer Morné Morkel is one of the best fast bowlers of his time. He is the younger brother of cricketer Albie Morkel, and in 2008, he and Albie became the first brother duo to be named the South African Cricket Annual Cricketers of the Year in 56 years.