Ottniel Baartman’s 4-12 proved the catalyst as the Hollywoodbets Dolphins demolished the Garden Route Badgers by 10 wickets in their shortened YesPlay Pro20 Cup clash at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on Friday night.
The match had to be reduced to eight overs a side after a significant rain delay during the Badgers' innings forced the match to be shortened. Baartman’s spell meant the Badgers were always on the back foot throughout their shortened innings.
The day started well for Prenelan Subrayen and his Dolphins side when he won the toss and chose to bowl first.
The third over proved decisive as the returning Baartman took two wickets for two runs to reduce the visitors to 11 for two after three overs.
Grant Roelofsen took a spectacular catch at cover to dismiss Yaseen Valli for eight. Slade van Staden was caught behind two balls later without scoring.
Baartman returned to bowl the fifth over and then had his third wicket when Pheko Moletsane was caught at point for ten. The wicket saw the Badgers head into the sixth over on 28 for three.
In the seventh over, the teams were forced from the field only to return to a match reduced to eight overs a side.
This meant the Badgers had another 10 balls to face in their innings.
BRILLIANT BAARTMAN
Baartman then had his fourth in what was a remarkable spell. The dangerous Andile Phehlukwayo was caught at short third man by Romashan Pillay for 12.
Captain Prenelan Subrayen bowled the final over, and the Badgers finished on 51 for four with all four wickets being taken by Baartman.
Grant Roelofsen and Bryce Parsons made light work of the chase of an adjusted target of 56 off eight overs.
It took the openers just 23 deliveries to knock off the 56 runs required.
Parsons finished unbeaten on 32 off 13 balls while Roelofsen made 17 not out off ten balls.
The Dolphins have qualified for the Super Eight and have given themselves every chance to finish first or second in the group with the DP World Lions and Dafabet Warriors still to play their final group matches.
DOLPHINS: Grant Roelofsen, Bryce Parsons, Romashan Pillay, Jason Smith, Hanu Viljoen (wk), Gomolemo Phiri, Andile Simelane, Prenelan Subrayen (c), Keith Dudgeon, Ottneil Baartman, Okuhle Cele
BADGERS: Yaseen Valli, Janneman Malan (capt), Slade van Staden, Pheko Moletsane, Andile Phehlukwayo, Leo Sadler, Liam Alder, Bennie Hansen (wk), Zack Momberg, Nhlakanipho Mpungose, Reagon Rhode