Vaughn van Jaarsveld’s powerful 124 set the tone for the Dolphins’ opening One-Day Cup match of the season as the home side outgunned the Highveld Lions by 19 runs after a brave run chase fuelled by a brilliant 130 by Reeza Hendricks.
Sent in to bat first, the hosts amassed 342-6 in a high-scoring match at the City Oval. Left-hander Van Jaarsveld led the way with a career-best ninth List A century which saw him plunder 124 off 102 balls (14×4, 2×6), while Dane Vilas and David Miller also chipped in with valuable half-centuries.
Van Jaarsveld and Vilas (81 off 94 balls, 7×4) put on a monster 204-run partnership for the second wicket to set the Dolphins on their way, while Miller’s breathtaking 75 came off just 55 balls, including four sixes, while Wiaan Mulder was the pick of the bowlers with two for 52.
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The Lions gave themselves every chance of snatching the win, with Proteas openers Hendricks scoring 130 off 117 balls (12×4, 1×6) – his 12th career ton – while in-form Proteas teammate (and Lions captain) Rassie van der Dussen scored 51 off 57 (4×4).
The Lions were on course for a thrilling run chase at 193-2 after 33 overs, before Imran Tahir (3-71), Prenelan Subrayen (2-36) and Robbie Frylinck (2-53) made big inroads into the Lions middle and lower order.
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And despite 28 apiece from Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin, as well as 23 from Nono Pongolo, the scoreboard pressure proved too much as the Lions fell 19 runs short of the target, ending on 323-9 after their 50 overs. Vaughn van Jaarsveld picked up the Player of the Match award for his match-winning innings.
Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images
