The Sharks recorded an unexpected, 4-wicket win over the Sunfoil Dolphins in yesterday’s Pick’n’Pay Durban Challenge T20 match, at Sahara Park Kingsmead. Set a competitive total of 183/5 to chase, it was thanks, in no small part, to a smashing innings from Lions loan-player Franco van der Merwe that the rugby side stole the win.
Asked to field first, the Sharks did well to hamper the Doplhins in the early stages, with Tera Mtembu picking up the sticks of Vandiar (caught van der Merwe) and Subrayen (caught Alberts) within the first few overs. The middle order steadied the ship, though, before Wiehahn Herbst and Jean Deysel struck to remove van Jaarsveld and Zondo respectively. The catch from Cobus Reinach to remove Zondo, in particular, was a beaut. David Miller, top-scoring for the hosts with 43 not out, kept thing going, with Chetty the only other casualty on the day, falling to the bowling of Kyle Cooper.
Set a target of 184, the Sharks’ chase got off to a poor start, with openers Mtembu and Jacques Botes both going cheaply. Pat Lambie, coming in at three, proved the anchor with a superb knock of 53 of just 33 balls. He was supported, initially, by Riaan Viljoen (11), before three quick strikes by the Dolphins saw him, as well as Deysel and Alberts, back in the pavilion with the score on just over 80. A surprisingly-good knock of 20 not out from Frans Steyn played a part in the victory, but once Lambie went out, it was van der Merwe’s amazing 84 not out (off just 27 balls) that saw the Sharks reach the required total in just the 17th over.
Van der Merwe was duly named man-of-the-match and we can only hope that he proves as good a rugby player as he is a cricketer!
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I wish I could have watched this. 🙄
Some #redthunder might just do it for you guys !!
Hohoho… That’s the way to go!!
Wow not good for the dolfins..
@Franshark (Comment 3) : If last year is anything to go by, the Dolphins probably went out of their way to make the Sharks look competitive. There’s simply no way a rugby player scores 84 off professional bowlers who are bowling their best.
i was extremely bummed to have missed this game, a pity it isnt televised.
Is the scorecard available somewhere?
@Shred (Comment 6) : check the Sharks website… they have a scorecard of sorts
Yes let’s hope he can also “bludgeon” the opposition line-outs this season.
@JD (Comment 8) : I’d settle for even just winning our own ball
@robdylan (Comment 9) : come on Rob let’s go for the stars who knows what could happen.
@JD (Comment 10) : let’s get those lighters out 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 4) : this is the dolphins we are talking about…
@lostfish (Comment 12) : I don’t follow cricket. Are the Dolphins that shit that they regularly lose to people who don’t even play pro cricket?
The real shock here is that this article was penned by Rob….
@robdylan (Comment 13) : I haven’t followed SA domestic cricket for a while but from the reports I get from my dad it is an absolute shambles. They regularly get beaten by everyone.
@lostfish (Comment 15) : I thought they were at the top of the pile a few years back?
@robdylan (Comment 16) : If by a few, you mean 15…then yes.
@klempie (Comment 17) : oh is it? Oops…
@klempie (Comment 17) : like klempie says…