DP World Lions Ladies execute with excellence in Pro20 Series match

The DP World Lions Ladies team produced an excellent display at the weekend to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in Durban, as they beat the log-leaders by 31 runs in their Hollywoodbets Pro20 match.

A solid knock! 🦁🏏

Nonkululeko Thabethe brought up her half-century earlier, as she made 55 off 56 balls!

Great innings Thabethe!👏#LionsCricket #ThePrideOfJozi#TheSpiritOfChampions #HWBProSeries#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/bedHiAhhdL

— DP World Lions (@LionsCricketSA) December 15, 2024

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, opener Nonkululeko Thabethe stuck around brilliantly until the penultimate over as her run-a-ball 55 provided the backbone of our innings on a slow pitch that provided a little turn.

Thabethe was well-supported by fellow opener Palesa Mapoo (22) in a fine opening stand of 49, and then she and Kirstie Thomson (24) added another 40 for the second wicket, providing the foundation for a competitive total of 126 for three in their 20 overs.

The DP World Lions were then outstanding with the ball and in the field as they bundled the Dolphins out for just 95 in 18.5 overs.

Former Border spinner Liyema Jubati had not played for #ThePrideOfJozi before, but she was not overawed even though she was given the new ball. She responded by dismissing the in-form Alexandra Candler (11) and then three overs later Jubati fielded superbly at wide mid-on and scored a direct hit at the bowler’s end to run out Nicole de Klerk (18).

🔵🟡Match Result

The Dolphins with by 115 runs in Durban in our Pro50 Series clash.

Our Lionesses will bounce back stronger in tomorrows Pro20 game!😁🦁🏏#LionsCricket #ThePrideOfJozi#TheSpiritOfChampions #HWBProSeries#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/xAeCnAhAE6

— DP World Lions (@LionsCricketSA) December 14, 2024

Jubati’s slick fielding would see her effect another run out towards the end of the Dolphins innings, and although she did not take another wicket while bowling, the Dolphins batters were not able to score quickly off her either as she conceded just 17 runs in her four overs.

Liyema Jubati made her Pro20 Series debut for the DP World Lions this past Sunday, with figures of 4 overs, 17 runs and 1 wicket.🦁👏

She was also involved in 2 run outs, of which one was a direct hit!🤩#LionsCricket #ThePrideOfJozi#TheSpiritOfChampions pic.twitter.com/m1lqlS1FEc

— DP World Lions (@LionsCricketSA) December 17, 2024

The Dolphins batters were not able to handle the spin of Raisibe Ntozakhe either, as she ripped through the middle-order with three for 24 in her four overs, and another slow bowler, Madison Landsman, took two for six.

In the Hollywoodbets Pro50 match on the preceding day, #ThePrideOfJozi skipper Kgomotso Rapoo also won the toss, but this time selected to bowl first. A very good batting display by the Dolphins saw them post 286 for three, with Candler scoring 104 and De Klerk 96.

Sarah Nettleton was the best of the DP World Lions bowlers, her 10 overs of accurate spin going for just 33 runs.

In reply, the DP World Lions batters could probably have shown better shot-selection, as the Dolphins attack bowled them out for 171, inflicting a 115-run defeat.

Thomson was the best of the batters with a mature 53 off 70 balls, while Jenna Evans showed her talent as she cracked 43 not out off 56 deliveries.