The Dolphins beat the Cape Cobras by 15 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in their opening match of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge in Centurion.
The Dolphins scored 231 for 2 in their innings and were in a strong position to win the match when play was stopped. When play resumed, the Cobras were set a target of 38 runs from nine balls which the Dolphins successfuly defended.
The Cape Cobras won the toss and elected to field. The decision paid dividends with Vernon Philander getting them a breakthrough in the third over dismissing Morne Van Wyk for 19. The second wicket stand between opener, Sarel Erwee, and Dane Vilas contributed 76 runs to take the Dolphins to 95.
However, their dangerous partnership was broken when Vilas was caught at mid-wicket by Dane Paterson off the bowling of Mthiwekhaya Nabe. The third wicket partnership of Erwee and Khaya Zondo took the fight to the Cobras taking the Dolphins to 200. Erwee scored a century hitting a six to take the Dolphins to 229 runs.
The Dolphins scored a massive total of 231 runs at the end of their 20 overs with Erwee 103 not out and Zondo on 67.
In reply, the Cape Cobras did not have the best of starts. Richard Levi was caught in the second over by Vilas off the bowling of Robbie Frylinck with the Cobras having just eleven runs on the scoreboard. Keshav Maharaj bowled out Temba Bavuma for six to leave the Cobras in deep trouble on 19 for two.
Nothing seemed to be working for the Cobras with JP Duminy sent back to the pavilion two balls later for a single. The fourth wicket stand between Hashim Amla and Aviwe Mgijima rebuilt the Cobras innings.
It added 63 runs to take their total to 83 before play was stopped due to lightning and rain. The match resumed a while later under revised conditions later with the Cobras needing 38 runs from nine balls to win.
Amla and Mgijima gave it a shot but were not successful only scoring 23 runs from nine balls.
