• Dolphins cruise past Cobras

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    The Dolphins made a composed start to the CSA T20 Challenge on Friday, beating the Cobras by 14 runs in their opening clash.

    Keshav Maharaj won the toss and elected to bat first, the Dolphins enjoying the advantage of playing on their home ground in Durban.

    The Cobras, however, made an early breakthrough when Calvin Savage ran out Grant Roelofsen for a duck.

    Sarel Erwee only managed seven before he was dismissed by Corbin Bosch, caught behind by Kyle Verreynne. Proteas batsman David Miller added 16 but he was run out by Verreynne before Senuran Muthusamy was sent packing by Siyabonga Mahima.

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    At 63-4 the Dolphins were in need of a good knock and they received that from Khaya Zondo, who adopted an innovative approach.

    George Linde trapped Andile Phehlukwayo in front for 13 but Zondo kicked on and raced to a high-quality half-century.

    Mahima, however, produced a moment to remember when he claimed an extraordinary hat-trick in the final over, dismissing Robbie Frylinck, Zondo and Prenelan Subrayen in consecutive deliveries. The Dolphins reaching 155-8 in their 20 overs.

    Mahara struck in the first over of the Cobras innings, clean bowling Zubayr Hamza for a duck.

    The spinner then accounted for Tony de Zorzi (39) and Verreynne (29) before Subrayen knocked Linde over only one.

    Maharaj picked up his fourth wicket when Jason Smith was caught by Grant Roelofsen for two as the Cobras fell into trouble on 74-5. Thins only got worse when Onke Nyaku was dismissed by Frylinck for four before Muthusamy got rid of Savage for five.

    Christiaan Jonker (41) and Bosch (13) stood firm with the bat towards the end of the innings but it wasn’t enough as the Cobras only managed 141-7 in their allotted overs.

    Maharaj finished with figures of 4-14 in his four overs.

    Full scorecard

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    Andre Huisamen