Janneman Malan and Sarel Erwee scored breathtaking undefeated centuries for the Cape Cobras and Dolphins respectively as the Cobras stole an eight-wicket win with 12 balls to spare in their One-Day Cup clash at Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
With the match reduced to a 28-over contest, Erwee struck out superbly after the Cobras had sent the Dolphins in to bat, scoring a magnificent century which included 13 fours and four sixes. Erwee’s ton came off the back of his 59 off 65 balls in the Dolphins’ rain-reduced victory over the Knights, and followed half-centuries in three consecutive matches to end the 4-Day Series.
Erwee shared a second-wicket stand of 66 with Vaughn van Jaarsveld (38 off 39 balls), and then added 89 for the fourth wicket with skipper Khaya Zondo (29 off 26 balls) as the Dolphins raced to an impressive 218-6 off their 28 overs. Erwee ended not out on 116 off just 82 balls at a superb strike rate of 141.46.
Rory Kleinveldt (2-41) and Dane Paterson (2-48) were the pick of the Cobras bowlers.
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Needing to chase at close to eight runs to the overs, the Malan brothers got the innings off to a flyer, adding 45 runs for the first wicket inside five overs, before Pieter fell for 18 off 13 balls. George Linde was bumped up to three in the order to keep the run rate going, but he could only manage eight runs off five balls, falling with the score on 58.
Enter JP Duminy fresh from a duck on his return from injury, followed by a magnificent 62 in Thursday’s thrilling three-run win over the Lions.
Duminy and Janneman Malan took the run-chase by the scruff of the neck, hitting the Dolphins bowlers to all parts to reach their target with two overs to spare. Malan ended on 115 off 83 balls (15×4, 1×6, S/R 138.55), while Duminy was not out on 74 off 56 balls (7×4, 2×6, S/R 132.14).
The pair added 162 runs for the third wicket off 20 overs and two balls, a rate of more than eight runs to the over, with Malan scooping the Player of the Match award from under Erwee’s nose.
Prenelan Subrayen (0-33, econ 5.50) and Kerwin Mungroo (1-35, econ 7.00) were the most economical with the ball on a disappointing day for the high-flying Dolphins, who could have gone top of the log with a win, but instead found themselves sharing third spot on the log with the Cobras.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
