Province blitz Dolphins at Kingsmead

Western Province Blitz underlined their position as Division One log leaders when they comfortably beat the Hollywoodbets Dolphins by 45 runs in their CSA One-Day Cup match at Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday.

The result effectively shuts the door on the Dolphins’ bid to qualify for the final on October 28.

Province won the toss and compiled a challenging 302 for nine in their 50 overs, helped by half-centuries from David Bedingham, Valentine Kitime, George Linde and Abdallah Beyoumy.

The Dolphins began their reply well with Jon-Jon Smuts and Marques Ackerman putting on 143 for the first wicket – the highest opening partnership in the competition this season, as well as equalling the ground record.

But then paceman Mihlali Mpongwane made a key intervention, yorking Ackermann for 72 (82 balls, 8x4s) – his highest List A score – and then, in his second over, trapping Khaya Zondo leg before for 2.

The home team were now under considerable pressure. Bryce Parsons (21) added 34 with Smuts before falling leg before to George Linde but the asking rate was creeping up to eight an over at the halfway mark, a formidable task.

Smuts was progressing towards three figures in a brave rearguard action but that hope was extinguished when he edged a hook behind to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne when on 94 (101 balls, 12x4s). Bradley Porteous enjoyed a breezy cameo of 28 in 24 balls in a promising all-round performance that went with two wickets with the ball and three catches in the outfield.

The result, however, was already pencilled in long before the Dolphins were dismissed for 257 in 46.3 overs with former Dolphin Dane Paterson claiming 4/38 and Mpongwana 3/32.

Earlier, a blistering seventh-wicket partnership of 88 in 67 balls between Linde and Abdallah Bayoumy gave the visitors’ innings a sparkling end after a stodgy middle section.

Province had looked well capable of reaching or even surpassing their final total when half-centuries by Bedingham (51 in 46 balls), and Kitime (50 in 60 balls) as well as a brisk 32 from Tony de Zorzi saw their team well-placed on 136 for two in the 22nd over.

However all three batsmen gave their wickets away holing out in the deep when well set and the visitors had only reached the 200 mark with 10 overs to go.

That was the signal for Linde and Bayoumy to apply the after-burners as the Dolphins’ attack were savaged for 82 off the last seven overs. Linde’s 55 – his 13th List A half-century – took 47 balls and included four fours and a six while Bayoumy’s 54 – his first List A fifty – was even more potent, coming in 41 balls and including five fours and two sixes.

The Dolphins were not helped by an injury to one of their frontline bowlers, paceman Ottniel Baartman, who left the field with a leg injury after bowling only three overs. An indication of the home team’s declining fortunes was represented by the figures of paceman Okuhle Cele who bowled impressively up front, claiming 3/21 in his first seven overs before being blasted for 34 in his final three although he did pick up a fourth scalp to finish with 4/55.

Left-arm spinner Smuts did a solid job, taking 2/40 in his 10 overs to go with his 94, earning himself the player of the match award, but skipper Eathan Bosch had an off-day, going for 57 in his first six overs and finishing wicketless for 66 in eight.

HOLLYWOODBETS DOLPHINS: Jon-Jon Smuts, Marques Ackerman, Khaya Zondo, Bryce Parsons, Jason Smith, Bradley Porteous, Tshepang Dithole (wk), Andile Simelane, Eathan Bosch (capt), Okuhle Cele, Ottniel Baartman

WESTERN PROVINCE BLITZ: Tony de Zorzi, Jonathan Bird, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (capt, wk), Valentine Kitime, George Linde, Mihlali Mpongwane, Abdallah Bayoumy, Beuran Hendricks, Nandre Burger, Dane Paterson