Ackerman, Bosch fashion stunning comeback win for Dolphins

Marques Ackerman and Eathan Bosch not only saved the blushes of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins but paved the way for an astonishing comeback victory by 19 runs over the Auto Investment North West Dragons in their CSA T20 Challenge match at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Sunday.

The Dolphins, put in to bat by the Dragons, had slumped to 39 for seven in 7.5 overs when Ackerman and Bosch came together. The pair added a record 134 in 12 overs for the eighth wicket to enable their team to compile a respectable 173 for eight after Bosch was out to the final ball of the innings. The allrounder struck a career-best 66 in 38 balls, including six fours and a six, while Ackerman remained unbeaten on 72 in 46 balls (6x4s, 2x6s).

This was a total that the Dolphins were able to defend, with pacemen Okuhle Cele claiming 3/28 and Ottniel Baartman 2/28. There were also wickets for Bosch and Prenelan Subrayen with Khaya Zondo responsible for the key run-outs of Wihan Lubbe for nine and Raynard van Tonder for 37.

Thereafter the Dragons were not able to put together significant partnerships with Van Tonder and Senuran Muthusamy compiling the biggest for the fifth wicket of 36.

Ackerman and Bosch will certainly not have to buy the celebratory drinks tonight after they took their team to a respectable total after the visitors appeared in a hopeless position shortly after the power play.

Many of the early wickets to fall were soft. Grant Roelofsen began the procession when he was bowled by Migael Pretorius in the second over, essaying an ugly heave in the rough direction of midwicket. Jason Smith pulled a delivery from Ruan de Swardt straight to Raynard van Tonder on the midwicket boundary while Andile Phehlukwayo was leg before playing all around a straight one from Wihan Lubbe. At least Zondo, opening in place of the injured Bryce Parsons, went to a good delivery, a yorker, from Kerwin Mungroo.

The collapse continued with Andile Simelane hooking De Swardt to fine leg while Prenelan Subrayen mistimed a drive off his second ball straight to extra-cover.

That left the Dolphins almost beached on 39 for seven, but fortunately for them Ackerman and Bosch then showed plenty of character to not only rescue the innings but also pave the way for a remarkable win.

For the Dragons, pace bowlers Ruan de Swardt and Migael Pretorius shared six wickets with De Swardt finishing with 3/23 after taking 3/2 in his first two overs.

AUTO INVESTMENT NORTH WEST DRAGONS: Caleb Seleka, Hlompo Modinokoane, Kerwin Mungroo, Lesiba Ngoepe, Meeka-eel Prince, Migael Pretorius, Raynard van Tonder, Ruan de Swardt, Senuran Muthusamy (capt), Wihan Lubbe, Rubin Hermann (wk)

HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS: Grant Roelofsen (wk), Khaya Zondo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Marques Ackerman, Jason Smith, Andile Phehlukwayo, Andile Simelane, Prenelan Subrayen (capt), Eathan Bosch, Ottniel Baartman, Okuhle Cele