Dithole ton gives Dolphins the edge

Tshepang Dithole struck his third first-class hundred – and his first for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins – to help his team reach 304 for five in 98 overs on the opening day of their match against the AET Tuskers at Kingsmead in Durban on Saturday.

The home team, last season’s champions, can be well pleased with their efforts with the bat although the Tuskers came back well in the final session, claiming three wickets for six runs to cool the Dolphins’ momentum somewhat.

The home team largely owed their total to an opening partnership of 174 between two left-handers, Dithole and his captain Sarel Erwee, after Erwee had won the toss and chosen to bat first on a dry pitch that should increasingly take spin as the game progresses.

The home team made a slow but solid start to their innings, reaching 93 without loss in 37 overs in the 150-minute morning session.

Erwee and Dithole took no chances against an honest but limited attack in this KZN derby.

Erwee, unusually studious, was on 31 in 95 balls at lunch while Dithole was in a slightly more positive mood, striking 10 fours in his 58 (128 balls), his ninth first-class half-century.

The Tuskers, enjoying their first season in Division One after winning promotion, had a first taste of the hard work that lies ahead for them.

JUST MISSING OUT ON GROUND RECORD

Their opening bowlers, Keith Dudgeon and Mbulelo Budaza, struggled to extract much life from the dry, patchy pitch and offspinner Michael Erlank bowled the first of his 12 overs before the first hour was up.

Erlank, the captain of the visitors, conceded 26 runs in his spell and was eventually joined by fellow tweaker Smangeliso Nhlebela, a left-arm spinner who had conceded a meagre six runs in his four overs at the break.

After having a good look at the bowling, the Dolphins' pair looked to accelerate after lunch with Dithole continuing to show more aggression than Erwee who was, for long periods, content to bat time.

The little left-hander, on the other hand, looked to drive and cut at every opportunity and his century included 15 fours and a six.

Erwee was eventually trapped leg before in the middle of the afternoon session by medium-pacer Alindile Mhletywa after he had struck 68 in 150 balls that included nine fours and one magnificently driven on-drive for six.

Their partnership was three shy of the ground record established by Stephen Cook and Rassie van der Dussen and just two short of Doug Watson and (current Dolphins’ coach) Imraan Khan’s Dolphins’ record.

THREE WICKETS FOR BUDAZA

When Dithole – a former player for the Tuskers – swept left-arm spinner Malcolm Nofal to midwicket to achieve his goal, he was greeted by a roar from the home dressing-room and warm applause from the small crowd.

Marques Ackerman replaced Erwee and, as usual, looked to be aggressive, using the reverse-sweep frequently.

Shortly after tea, however, he lashed at a delivery from Tian Koekemoer and Malcolm Nofal held a rocket at gully.

Bryce Parsons joined Dithole and the pair added 64 before Dithole, perhaps a little tired after a six-hour stay, lost concentration and holed out to mid-on off Budaza.

His excellent 146 had taken 274 balls and included 22 fours and a six.

Budaza then claimed a further two wickets in quick order with Jason Smith edging to Nofal in the gully, and debutant Theesan Naicker driving a little loosely at his second ball to edge a catch to a diving Ben Compton at slip.

Another newcomer, Sean Gilson, managed to stay with Parsons who finished the day unbeaten on 45 (71 balls, five fours).

For the Tuskers, Budaza was the most successful bowler with 3-36 in 12 overs while Dudgeon battled manfully and was a little unlucky not to take a wicket after 17 overs of hard labour, conceding just 48 runs on an unresponsive track.

HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS: Sarel Erwee (capt), Tshepang Dithole (wk), Marques Ackerman, Bryce Parsons, Jason Smith, Theesan Naicker, Sean Gilson, Jon-Jon Smuts, Andile Simelane, Okuhle Cele, Ottniel Baartman

AET TUSKERS: Ben Compton, Kagiso Rapulana, Tian Koekemoer, Michael Erlank (capt), Pite van Biljon, Malcolm Nofal Alindile Mhletywa, Dilivio Ridgaard (wk), Keith Dudgeon, Mbulelo Budaza, Smangaliso Nhlebela