Match 15, Durban, February 26, 2021, 06:00 PM
151/6(20.0ov)
144/6(20.0ov)
Dolphins beat Titans by 7 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Commentry
We have our final three teams! Dolphins had already made it to the final even before this game and they now await their opponent which will be decided by the clash on Saturday. The Lions play the Warriors at 2.30 pm local (1230 GMT) in the Play-off. The latter would have been nervously waiting for the Titans-Dolphins result to go in their favour and it has. They have been granted a backdoor entry and will hope that they make it count. Join us then, on 27th February, 2021. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Keshav Maharaj, the victorious Dolphins' skipper, says that he had a gut feel to not bowl Robbie Frylinck in that final over and he finished his quota early. States that if they could get the required run rate of over 15 to 16, then it would become tough for the Titans. States that the guys have very clear plans and they have brought collective energy on the field. Gives no excuses not to give your 100 percent in the 20 overs. States that they just tried to adjust to the scoreboard and Baartman executed his skill well in the final over. Tells that they have got momentum and that is why they played an unchanged side. Says that they need to come back recharged and refreshed on Sunday for the final.
Robbie Frylinck, the Bowler of the Day, says that the spinners have been fantastic and they have some fantastic spinners in their squad. Is glad that he could contribute. Goes onto say that he has played for quite a long time and the captain had told that they have to be ready all the time and they have practiced every skill and it is a matter of executing. Tells that they are quite a simple team and they back each other.
David Miller, the Batsman of the Day, says that he is very pleased with the way the guys are playing. Adds that it was a bit tough in this game and he did not time it as well as he would have liked. Goes onto say that the guys have been clinical and they have stuck to their roles and the batters have been chipped in at the lower part. Tells that they have played wonderful cricket and hopes to do well on Sunday, in the final.
The bowling was nothing short of sensational from the Dolphins. They nearly let it slip towards the end but held their nerve enough to cross the line. Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen were terrific, giving nothing early on. Maharaj went for a few in his last over but everyone else played their part perfectly. Just 5 bowlers were used, which means that the 6th was not required. There was enough discipline shown and eventually, they were rewarded. Earlier, the Dolphins followed a similar pattern with the bat, except that they had a wonderful Powerplay. They struggled too, to the slow pitch but David Miller stayed till the end to ensure that the team gets to 150. Please stay tuned for the presentation...
It was a struggle for the batsmen all throughout the chase. The Dolphins did not give much away to the Titans and the batters struggled. The dot balls kept building up and eventually, the wickets started to fall. And those came very late for the Titans. Elgar and Galiem consumed too many dot balls upfront and could not quite compensate enough in the end.
The scorecard does not justify anything about the game we witnessed. The game actually began only in the 19th over. From 18.5 to 19.4, the Titans scored 24 runs. Yes, that's 24 runs in the span of 6 balls. Klaasen gave a ray of hope to the Titans of pulling off a heist but a miscalculation in the final over knocked his team out. But before that, questions need to be asked as to why was the pair of Chris Morris and Heinrich Klaasen sent so low down the order? They came in at 5 and 6 respectively, below the likes of Dayyaan Galiem and Sibonelo Makhanya. When they came, the game was almost gone, with the equation reading 55 from 26 balls. To bring the game to such a close finish from that position shows the quality and batting depth the Titans have. They could have just used the depth better. One of the two should have come earlier.
Phew. Let's take a breather, shall we? This game would not have impacted Dolphins in any manner. They were already through to the final! But what they have done is - knocked the Titans out of the tournament. The Titans - famed of all international stars, but not quite making it even to the playoffs.
In over# 1
0
0
1
5nb+b
2
0W
6
Ottniel Baartman 38/1(4)
19.6
.
Dot ball and the DOLPHINS WIN BY 7 RUNS! Yorker, outside off, Williams can only hit it back to the bowler. Relief in the dugout for the Dolphins.
19.5
.
Dot ball! Tremendous ball. Yorker, outside off, Williams looks to drive but misses.
19.4
1
Catch taken but it is a Free Hit! What happened there? Looks like no one realized what happened there. Full and outside off, Klaasen hit it straight to cover. Now, it is a catch and Miller in the ring leaps and takes the catch. Out of habit, Klaasen starts to run, wanting to cross. Out of habit, Miller catches and then throws the ball onto the ground. First question - WHY is Klaasen running? Second question - Why isn't Miller aware that a run out is on the cards? But it is a good result for the Dolphins. Because Klaasen gets to the other end. He would have fancied getting 9 from 2 balls. It is 8 from 2 now, but...
19.4
5nb+b
FIVE NO BALLS! Is that the game? A no ball, way down the leg side, slipped out of the hand! The ball races to the fine leg fence! Both coaches smiling. 9 needed from 3 balls.
19.3
2
Beautifully bowled, on middle, Heinrich whips it, ala helicopter, towards long on. Gets back for the second. 14 needed from 3 balls.
Lizaad Williams walks in.
19.2
W
OUT! THOMPSON IS RUN OUT. He has sacrificed his wicket. Yorker, around off, Thomson digs it out back to the bowler. Baartman leaps to his right and even slips while stopping the ball. Klaasen is off the blocks, wanting the strike and poor Thomson is stranded in the middle. The bowler gets up, runs back and takes the bails off.
19.1
6
SIX! 'Ohhhhh yes!' goes Pommie Mbangwa on air. Length ball, outside off, Thomson swings it cleanly over extra cover! 16 needed from 5 balls now.
In over# 1
6
4
0
4
1
0
Kerwin Mungroo 29/2(4)
18.6
6
SIX! This game is not down yet! A length ball, around off, Klaasen swings it straight back over the bowler and clears the ropes! 4-0-29-2 from Mungroo, but a poor last over.