The heroics of Marques Ackerman and Eathan Bosch guided the Dolphins to victory on Sunday (April 7) at the Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Challenge.
What a show it was on Sunday (April 7) when a memorable eighth wicket stand between Marques Ackerman and Eathan Bosch rescued the Hollywoodbets Dolphins and helped them to a 19-run win over the Auto Investment North West Dragons in the CSA T20 Challenge.
The Dolphins had Ackerman and Bosch to thank after they fell to 37 for seven when the pair got together. Their partnership was worth 134 from just over 12 overs to get the Dolphins to a 173 for eight from their 20 overs. It was not an easy match as wickets fell far too regularly for the Dolphins in the power play as they lost four wickets in the first six overs.
“Grant Roelofsen fell with the score on six. Khaya Zondo followed soon after with the total on 10. The Dolphins then fell to 14 for three when Jon-Jon Smuts was caught for two. It was devastating for our team as we lost Jason Smith, Andile Phehlukwayo, Andile Simelane and Prenelan Subrayen for the combined score of 11. This brought Bosch to the crease at number nine in the eighth over of the innings,” said Ackerman.
Bosch, an all-rounder, proceeded to smash 66 off 38 balls with six fours and a six. He was dismissed off the final ball of the innings. Bosch, along with Ackerman, put the Dolphins in a strong position at the break. Ackerman finished with 72 from 46 balls as he continued his good form with the bat. The left-handed batsman, hit six fours and two sixes in his knock.
It was Dolphins seamer, Okuhle Cele, who was the “chief destroyer” picking up 3/28 as the Dolphins restricted the Dragons to 154 for nine. Cele got the big wicket of Rubin Hermann early and then got the set Senuran Muthusamy later in the innings as well as Ruan de Swardt.
“Khaya Zondo was responsible for two crucial run-outs which aided the Dolphins’ efforts in the field,” said Bosch. “Zondo first ran out Wihan Lubbe and then Raynard van Tonder for 37. Muthusamy made 25 for the Dragons batting at number six and he was threatening to get the Dragons within touching distance. It was some disciplined death bowling from Ottniel Baartman and Cele that saw the Dolphins to safety and a crucial win in the context of the competition.”
The scores were Hollywoodbets Dolphins 173/8 (M Ackerman 72 - E Bosch 66). Auto Investment North West Dragons 154/9 (R van Tonder 37 - O Cele 3/28). Hollywoodbets Dolphins won by 19 runs. The team will now face the Momentum Multiply Titans at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Wednesday April 10.