Von Berg cracks debut T20 half-century

Beefy Shaun von Berg cracked his debut T20 fifty as he led Goldrush Boland to a challenging 167 for four in their final CSA T20 Challenge match against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at Kingsmead on Saturday night.

Von Berg came to the crease as a pinch-hitter after Grant Roelofsen, formerly of the Dolphins, was forced to retire hurt at the end of the second over after being struck in the groin by Okuhle Cele.

The powerful Von Berg took an immediate liking to the Dolphins’ bowling, especially Ottniel Baartman who went for an eyewatering 28 in his first two overs and 43 overall. Von Berg rode his luck early on but belted four sixes in his innings, including a huge blow over the West Stand off Baartman. Baartman had begun the evening well, clinging onto a towering blow from Clyde Fortuin on the deep midwicket boundary, but thereafter it was all downhill.

In general, the Dolphins bowled too short on the easy-paced pitch and suffered accordingly with only left-arm spinner Bryce Parsons impressing with 1-16 off three overs.

Boland finished off the innings particularly well with Lehan Botha (31*) and Keith Dudgeon (36*) adding 67 in 49 balls for the fifth wicket. It was fitting that the last three balls of the innings were hit for four by Dudgeon off Jason Smith to give the visitors a late lift.

DOLPHINS: Slade van Staden, Banele Cele, Bryce Parsons, Jason Smith, Andile Simelane, Jon-Jon Smuts, David Miller, Okuhle Cele, Prenelan Subrayen (capt), Ottniel Baartman, Hanu Viljoen (wk)

BOLAND: Grant Roelofsen (wk), Clyde Fortuin (capt), Lehan Botha, Blayde Capell, Keith Dudgeon, Ayabulela Gqamane, Shaun von Berg, Akhona Mnyaka, Imraan Manack, Glenton Stuurman, Aviwe Mgijima