Warriors’ pace bowler Sisanda Magala bagged a five-for against the Dolphins in Durban to fire his team to the top of the One-Day Cup table, and earns Tuesday’s Turbo Bowler award, writes ANITHA MADIKIZELA.
Magala picked up 5-59 in his 9.2 overs against the Dolphins at Kingsmead to help set up a comfortable eight-wicket win for the Warriors on the DLS method. The result sees the visitors leapfrog over the Dolphins and claim top spot in the One-Day Cup rankings after four matches.
READ MORE: Warriors turn Dolphins over for 1-Day Cup win
The 28-year-old began with the wicket of Dolphins captain Khaya Zondo (6) to leave the home side struggling on 85-4 in the 22nd over. The paceman followed that up by dismissing the ever-dangerous David Miller for 68 (82 balls, 7×4), breaking up his 104-run partnership with in-form Proteas all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo (68 off 72 balls, 7×4, 2×6).
Magala made light work of cleaning up the tail, dismissing lower-order batsmen Calvin Savage (13) and Senuran Muthusamy (24) in quick succession during an accurate and destructive bowling spell in the death overs.
READ ALSO: Ngidi, Nortje in Proteas ODI squad
He finished off the Dolphins innings by having Imran Tahir caught in the covers by the recently called-up Anrich Nortje (1-36) as the home side were bowled out two balls into the final over with 244 on the board. The weather threatened to put a damper on proceedings, but the teams eventually took to the field with the Warriors requiring a revised 152 runs in 31 overs for victory.
Five-fer?️
Sisanda Magala, picks up a five-wicket haul! A shorter ball, clipped to Nortje waiting at a slightly deep cover. To bring an end to the Dolphins innings.
Dolphins all out for 244 in 49.2 overs #MODC pic.twitter.com/l95jf1lbtX
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 26, 2019
Warriors’ captain Jon-Jon Smuts took the visitors over the line with an unbeaten 42 (48 balls, 6×4, 1×6) alongside Lesiba Ngoepe (28 not out) after opener Gihahn Cloete had contributed a half-century at the top of the innings to set up the win.
Magala helped himself to a fourth List A-career five-wicket haul on the night and received a well-deserved Player of the Match award for his inspired bowling.
READ ALSO: Smuts, Magala roll the Dolphins for 123
The Warriors will want to continue their winning run when they face the Lions in East London on Friday, while the Dolphins will look to getting back to winning ways when they take on the Knights on Saturday at Kingsmead.
Photo: Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images
