The ITEC Knights endured a sluggish start but managed to post a competitive 196 all out in their CSA One-Day Cup match against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at Kingsmead, Durban, on Friday. A crucial ninth-wicket stand between Tiaan van Vuuren (54) and Dane Piedt (27)* helped the visitors recover from early struggles on a sticky, slow pitch that made free-scoring difficult.
Dolphins Bowlers Keep the Pressure On
The Dolphins' bowlers capitalized on the challenging conditions, with offspinner Prenelan Subrayen leading the attack with 2/26 in 10 overs. He was well supported by pacers Andile Simelane (2/35), Eathan Bosch (2/32), and Tristan Luus (3/52), who kept the Knights' batters under pressure throughout the innings.
Knights' Early Struggles
The Knights rely heavily on Jacques Snyman for quick starts, but his early dismissal—caught in the covers off Bosch—left them in trouble. Dominic Hendricks (33 off 65) and Lesego Senokwane (15 off 45) played cautiously, adding just 15 runs in the first powerplay, the lowest in the tournament's history.
Senokwane’s dismissal, edging behind off Simelane, triggered a mini-collapse as the Knights lost three wickets for just one run in eight balls. Dian Forrester (16 off 38) attempted to stabilize the innings alongside Van Vuuren, adding 38 runs before falling to a sharp slip catch by Khaya Zondo off Subrayen’s bowling.
Van Vuuren and Piedt Lead Recovery
With wickets falling regularly, Van Vuuren’s patient knock of 54 in 76 balls proved vital. He was ably assisted by *captain Dane Piedt (27 off 35)**, who ensured the Knights pushed closer to the 200-run mark. Their 57-run stand off 62 balls for the ninth wicket proved to be the turning point, giving their bowlers a total to defend.
Team Line-ups:
Hollywoodbets Dolphins: Jon-Jon Smuts, Tshepang Dithole, Bryce Parsons, Jason Smith, Khaya Zondo, Hanu Viljoen (wk), Eathan Bosch, Andile Simelane, Prenelan Subrayen (capt), Tristan Luus, Ottneil Baartman.
ITEC Knights: Jacques Snyman, Lesego Senokwane, Dom Hendricks (wk), Dian Forrester, Tiaan van Vuuren, Patrick Botha, Seth Fledermaus, Aaron Phangiso, Matthew Pollard, Dane Piedt (capt), Malusi Siboto.
With a challenging total set on a difficult pitch, the Dolphins' batters will need to apply themselves if they hope to secure a valuable win in Durban.
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