The KZN Dolphins beat the North West Dragons by 10 wickets in Potchefstroom to move to the top of the 4-Day Series log with one round remaining before the final.
It was a grind for the Dolphins, who had to bowl the Dragons out twice on a benign wicket after they amassed 643-8 dec in their first innings.
The Dolphins set up their charge for victory when they bowled the Dragons out for 282 in their first innings and asked them to follow on.
Dolphins assistant coach Quinton Friend was thrilled for the side as they fought hard for every wicket in the Dragons second innings.
“As a coaching unit we are very proud of the way our boys went about this victory,” Friend said. “It can be tough coming back from a T20 competition. For the guys that were involved in the SA20 to come out and play the way that they did shows the maturity and confidence of this side.”
Taking 20 wickets in tough bowling conditions was always going to be the test, and for Friend he was proud of the efforts from the bowlers.
“The way that the bowling unit stuck together and committed themselves in the field over the last two days was exceptional.
“In 36, 37 degree heat the bowlers bowled so well in partnerships and worked very hard for each other.
“When you make teams follow on and you know you going to be in the field for two to two-and-a-half days you’ve got to dig deep.
“I said to the team that this win will be up there with the best of their careers because it was such a hard-fought win.”
Going into the final day, the Dragons still trailed the Dolphins by 147 runs and had five wickets in hand in their second innings.
Grant Mokoena was on the verge of a century and the Dolphins were five wickets away from a dominant victory.
The home side were not going to sit down at all on the final day and the Dolphins had to fight for every single wicket they picked up.
Mokoena went to his century and continued to be a thorn in the Dolphins side along with Duane Jansen who registered a half century.
Once the Dolphins broke the Mokoena-Jansen partnership they ran through the rest of the North West lower order.
The last four wickets fell for 15 runs as Okuhle Cele bagged another four-wicket haul, picking up 4-79 to finish the match with figures of 8-130.
The Dolphins did have to bat again but they knocked off the eight runs without losing a wicket.
The Dolphins will play Western Province in their final match of the campaign at Newlands from 21-24 February.
Dragons vs Dolphins scorecard
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Warriors vs WP scorecard
Lions vs Rocks scorecard
Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
