Match 6, Durban, February 21, 2021, 06:00 PM
143/5(20.0ov)
128/2(18.0ov)
Dolphins beat Warriors by 3 runs (D/L method)
Right. That ends day 3 from the CSA T20 League. Dolphins have earned their third straight win and regain their top spot in the points table. They almost have one leg in the playoffs. Day 4 sees another double header. The Knights meet Cape Cobras in the bottom-of-the-table encounter at 10 am local (0800 GMT), followed by the Titans-Lions clash at 2.30 pm local (1230 GMT). Do tune in on Monday, 22nd February, 2021 for all the action. Until then, ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
KESHAV MAHARAJ HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic spell of 4-2-12-0. He began with a maiden and ended with a maiden. Looking at the way things panned out, how crucial were those 2 maidens?
Earlier in the game, the Dolphins bowled superbly once again, not allowing the Warriors to score freely. They had them under the leash but JJ Smuts and Sinethemba Qeshile revived the innings with a 71-run stand. That took them to 143, wich actually turned out to be competitive in the end.
The Warriors will be a bit too disappointed on looking at the final result. A loss hurts but a close defeat hurts even more. They were nowhere in this contest when the opening partnership was going great guns but then, a wicket changed things. Opportunities came their way, right until the final ball before the rain break was bowled. Even if Keegan Petersen had been run out then, the Warriors would have won. The bowlers tried hard and it was actually the spinners' lack of control which let the Dolphins get away.
Another win for the Dolphins where they nearly made a hash of a tricky total. Sarel Erwee and Keegan Petersen set it up with an excellent opening stand of 92 but then, the team started to choke. This could have been ugly had the Warriors held onto their catches and grabbed their chances. After Erwee's entertaining 58, Petersen's calm 52 ensured that there was no major collapse.
We have the final confirmation. The match referee has called for the end of the game. DOLPHINS HAVE WON BY 3 RUNS (DLS METHOD). One might have thought that with just 2 overs remaining, the umpires might have waited for a while longer, but this is not an international game, nor does it feature any crowd and main part, the rain looked here to stay. Common sense won the verdict.
The heavens have opened up! This was always happening.The DLS par score at this stage is 125. But just a piece of information, it would have been 134 had a wicket fallen on the previous ball! Keegan Petersen is shocked to see the par score changing in the span of one ball but that is the way it is. Luckily for him, he is on the right side of it. The covers are coming on. More and more. The clouds are steadily building and we are afraid, that might be it for the game.
In over# 1
1
1
1lb
0
1
1
Anrich Nortje 15/0(4)
17.6
1
Well bowled, full on middle, jammed towards short mid-wicket for a quick run. Direct hit at the bowler's end could have been interesting. 4-0-15-0 for Anrich Nortje, he tried his best.
17.5
1
Full, around middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for one.
17.4
1lb
A short ball, outside off, slower in pace, Keegan is early into his pull and misses. The ball goes off his body to short third man and they pinch a leg bye.
17.3
.
On middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
17.2
1
Outside off, driven through the covers for a run. 19 more needed from 16 balls.
17.1
1
Direct hit would have consumed Petersen! Another opportunity goes abegging. A length ball, outside off, Petersen pushes it towards mid off and sets off for a quick single. Halfway through, he realizes that he is gone for all money, as he has hit it sweeter than he thought. But Tristan Stubbs misses the stumps at the bowler's end. Petersen was not even in the frame.
Anrich Nortje returns. 3-0-11-0 so far.
In over# 1
1
1lb
1
2
1
1
Marco Jansen 27/0(3)
16.6
1
Around middle, KP backs away and pulls this down to long on for one more. The stand moves to 20 from 17 balls.
16.5
1lb
Down the leg side, Miller misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads through fine leg. A leg bye taken.
16.4
1
Around middle, helped through square leg for one.
16.3
2
DROPPED! One has to say, that might be it for the Warriors. A length ball, outside off, Petersen looks to go over the top on the off side but miscues it big time. Ayabulela Gqamane comes running in from sweeper cover, gets to the ball with a dive but cannot hang on. Two runs taken.