Cricket
Dolphins cruise into One-Day Cup final─── MORGAN PIEK 11:00 Thu, 13 Mar 2025
The Dolphins booked their place in the final of the 2025 CSA One-Day Cup after claiming their fifth consecutive win, defeating the Titans by 65 runs in Durban on Thursday.
The Dolphins, who secured a home playoff spot at the last moment, faced the Titans in the Qualifier, with the winner earning the right to take on Boland in the final in Paarl on Sunday.
Batting first on a tricky Kingsmead pitch, the Dolphins managed to post 228/8 in their allotted 50 overs. Wicketkeeper Hanu Viljoen played another crucial innings, scoring 57 off 65 balls for his third consecutive half-century in the competition. He was well supported by Eathan Bosch, who contributed 40 runs, while the returning Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj added an unbeaten 25 off 16 balls towards the backend of the innings.
Hanu Viljoen. Photo: Dolphins
Former Dolphins all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo was outstanding with the ball against his old team, taking 4/28 in his 10 overs. Seasoned Netherlands spinner Roelof van der Merwe also impressed, returning figures of 2/33 in his nine overs.
In reply, the Titans found themselves in deep trouble at 65/5 after 19 overs, with their entire top order dismissed cheaply. Dewald Brevis scored 36 off 25 balls, while Dayyaan Galiem added 32, but the Titans were eventually bundled out for 163 in 36.4 overs.
Proteas spinner Maharaj, fresh from the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, shone with figures of 3/37 in his 10 overs. Young seamer Tristan Luus also made a significant impact, claiming 3/48 in 5.4 overs to spearhead the Dolphins' bowling effort.
Dolphins coach and former Knights fast bowler, Quinton Friend, told OFM Sport that while the team was relieved to reach the final, the job was far from done.
“Yeah, it was a big game for us,” said Friend.
Andile Phehlukwayo. Photo: Morgan Piek
“I just tried to keep the guys calm and shut out the outside noise regarding how we ended up getting into the playoffs. It was important for them to focus on the present and the job at hand.
“I think there’s a sense of relief because we’ve put in the hard yards. We got on a great run, winning four in a row, and to make it five straight wins and reach the final is massive for us.
“The team understands that. They know they’ve worked hard to earn this opportunity, but at the same time, we haven’t achieved what we set out to achieve yet.”
The final between Boland and the Dolphins at Boland Park in Paarl is set to start at 13:00 on Sunday.
