Prenelan Subrayen and Andile Phehlukwayo claimed two wickets apiece as the Dolphins closed in on victory after three days of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter with the log-leading Lions in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.

The pair claimed 2-28 and 2-15, respectively, to help the hosts reduce their visitors’ tally to 98-4 four by stumps.

This was in pursuit of a 430-run victory target laid down by the home side, who have dominated the defending champions throughout the clash at the City Oval.

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On the third morning they needed to wrap up the Lions’ first-innings tail quickly, and they did that by taking the last two wickets for 25 runs as Daryn Dupavillon ended as the pick of the bowlers with 4-29.

Subrayen chipped in with 3-21 and the away side were all out for 147.

First-innings Dolphins centurion Sarel Erwee (50 off 114 balls, 6 fours) and Vaughn van Jaarsveld (50 off 59 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) then both hit half-centuries as the hosts searched for quick runs and got them, too, in reaching 195-6 declared the second time around.

Those runs, added to the huge first-innings advantage of 234, gave the Lions a big job and they initially did well to reach 43-0.

But change bowlers Phelukwayo and Subrayen made the difference.

The Proteas all-rounder got rid of openers Joshua Richards (24) and Dominic Hendricks (18) within the space of five deliveries, before Subrayen dismissed Reeza Hendricks (5) and Wihan Lubbe (1) to leave the visitors on 70-4.

Temba Bavuma (37 not out) did stem the flow of wickets, although a big job remained on his hands if his side were to escape on the final day when 332 runs will be required for a win.

Photo: Gallo Images