Publications
Partners
Half-centuries by Reeza Hendricks and Wiaan Mulder propelled the Lions to the CSA T20 Challenge title with a seven-wicket win against the Dolphins at the Wanderers on Sunday.
Hendricks' stunning form with the bat for the Lions should see him rewarded on Tuesday when the Proteas name their T20 World Cup squad with the tournament held from 2-29 June in North America and the West Indies.
Chasing 165 runs to win, Hendricks and Mulder shared an unbeaten 85-run stand and took the Lions to their second title of the season after they one the 4-Day Series title last month.
After a positive start in their chase, Ryan Rickelton slashed Okuhle Cele the ball straight to the fielder at deep point to depart for 18 off 13 balls.
Daryn Dupavillion and Andile Phehlukwayo the removed Proteas batters Rassie van der Dussen (6) and Temba Bavuma (7) as the Lions were in early trouble in their chase.
Watching from the other end was Hendricks who finally found the perfect partner in Mulder. The duo put on an unbeaten 85 stand in front of the few thousand fans, who turned up to support the Jozi-outfit at the Wanderers.
Hendricks, who started off conservatively, showed character and went on to carry his bat and will now surely book himself a spot in the Proteas' World Cup squad.
The 34-year-old opener brought up his fourth T20 fifty of the tournament as he went onto end unbeaten on 73 off 52 balls (hitting four fours and three sixes).
All-rounder Mulder showed once again why he is valuable with both bat and ball as he scored an unbeaten 55 off 26 balls (hitting two fours and four sixes).
Mulder slapped a massive six to not only bring up his T20 fifty but steer his side to victory with 14 balls to spare.
Earlier on, Jason Smith scored a fighting fifty as the Dolphins were restricted to 165-8.
After being sent to bat first, the Dolphins didn't have the best start as the Lions' bowlers made early use of the early movement.
After the early loss of opener Bryce Parson (3) and JJ Smuts (7), Khaya Zondo looked positive but eventually was trapped LBW for 37 off 25 balls (hitting four fours and two sixes) by Nqabayomzi Peter (1/42).
The Dolphins kept losing wickets as they tried to rebuild and soon found themselves 103-6.
However, Smith put his hand up and moved the Dolphins innings into high gear as he brought up his fourth T20 half-century.
Smith and Eathan Bosch shared the only substantial partnership of the innings (57) before Codi Yusuf struck twice in the final over.
Smith was caught for 51 off 33 balls (hitting five fours and a six), while Bosch made a handy 17.
Scores in brief:
Dolphins 165-8 in 20 overs (Smith 51, Zondo 37, Yusuf 2/16, Fortuin 2/24)
Lions 168-3 in overs (Hendricks 73*, Mulder 55*, Phehlukwayo 1/14, Cele 1/38)
Result: Lions won by 7 wickets
28 April 17:17
Massive over from the Lions, 18 coming from Eathan Bosch. Wiaan Mulder plays some great shots, hitting two massive sixes and moves into his forties.
It's Lions game to lose now!
LIO 143-3 in 16
Lions need 23 off 24 balls.
28 April 17:11
Reeza Hendricks and Wiaan Mulder have got the run chase kicking with boundaries. Either Dolphins have some trick under their sleeve or the Lions let it slip.
LIO 123-3 in 15
Hendricks 63*
Mulder 22*
Lions need 43 off 30 balls
28 April 17:02
FIFTY
Reeza Hendricks brings up his fourth T20 half-century of the season and hopefully, this performance could seal his T20 World Cup spot, with the Proteas squad announcement set on Tuesday.
It's Hendricks' 48th T20 fifty and he also brings up the Lions' 100.
LIO 100-3 after 13
Hendricks 56*
Mulder 7*
Lions still require 66 off 42 balls
28 April 16:52
WICKET
Andile Phehlukwayo strikes in his first over and the Dolphins rejoice!
Temba Bavuma looks to cut and gets a wide edge behind as keeper Tshepang Dithole takes a brilliant diving catch and Bavuma walks back for seven.
This is not what the Lions wanted. Reeza Hendricks is still at the other end, stranded in his forties, he needs a partner.
LIO 87-3 in 11
The Lions need 79 off 54 balls
28 April 16:47
10 overs left of the final
Though boundaries have dried up a bit, Reeza Hendricks and Temba Bavuma have continued to rotate the strike .
The Lions are on par with the required run-rate of 8.
LIO 82-2 after 10
Hendricks 45*
Bavuma 7*
Lions still require 84 runs
28 April 16:39
WICKET
Daryn Dupavillion gets his man as Rassie van der Dussen is bowled!
Van der Dussen goes on one knee and gets an inside edge onto the middle stump and the in-form Proteas batter walks back for just six.
However, Reeza Hendricks has moved into his forties as Temba Bavuma is the new batter in.
LIO 69-2 after 8
Hendricks 40*
Bavuma 1*
28 April 16:21
WICKET
After hitting two massive sixes in Okuhle Cele's opening over, Ryan Rickelton slashes and cuts it high and straight to the fielder at deep point. Rickelton has to depart for 18 off 13 balls.
In his 200th T20, Rassie van der Dussen joins Hendricks in the middle.
LIO 39-1 after 5
28 April 16:12
A slow start for the Lions with only boundary scored so far courtesy of a straight drive by Reeza Hendricks.
LIONS 16-0 after 3
They still require 150.
28 April 15:49
INNINGS
After a top-order collapse, Jason Smith smashed a fighting fifty as the Dolphins posted 165-8 in the CSA T20 Challenge final against the Lions at the Wanderers on Sunday.
After being sent to bat first, the Dolphins didn't have the best start as the Lions made early use of the movement.
After the early loss of opener Bryce Parson (3) and JJ Smuts (7), Khaya Zondo looked positive but eventually was trapped LBW for 37 off 25 balls (hitting four fours and two sixes) by Nqabayomzi Peter (1/42).
The Dolphins kept losing wickets after they were about to rebuild and found themselves 103-6.
However, Smith put his hand up and shot the Dolphins innings into high gear as he brought up his fourth T20 half-century.
Smith and Eathan Bosch shared the only substantial partnership of 57 before Codi Yusuf struck twice in the final over.
Smith was caught for 51 off 33 balls (hitting five fours and a six), while Bosch made a handy 17.
Yusuf ended with two for 16, while captain Bjorn Fortuin took two for 24.
Scores in brief:
Dolphins 165-8 in 20 overs (Smith 51, Zondo 37, Yusuf 2/16, Fortuin 2/24)
Lions need 166 runs to win
28 April 15:29
Two overs left!
Jason Smith has come to the party for the Dolphins, smashing five consecutive boundaries off Nqabayomzi Peter in the 18th over.
Smith moves into his forties as the Dolphins now look to go big in the final overs.
DOL 148-6 after 18
28 April 15:14
WICKET
Dolphins continue to lose wickets at regular intervals, just when a partnership was building.
Lions captain Bjorn Fortuin gets his second as Tshepang Dithole drives it straight to the fielder at cover for a run-a-ball 10.
Dolphins are going at 6.94 runs an over and with less than a handful wickets at hand, they will hope to atleast make 140 or 150.
Jason Smith remains unbeaten on 16 so far with Eathan Bosch the new batter in.
DOL 104-6 after 15
28 April 15:01
WICKET
Another one gone!
After hitting Lutho Sipamla for a lovely cover drive boundary, the following delivery Andile Phehlukwayo chops the ball onto his wickets and Phehlukwayo is bowled out for 10 off eight balls.
Sipamla rejoices and the Dolphins are in all heaps of trouble at the moment.
DOL 89-5 after 12
28 April 14:52
WICKET!
Just as a partnership was building, Evan Jones gets the breakthrough.
Marques Ackerman tries to push through the legside but gets a leading edge and Wiaan Mulder takes a stunning, diving catch at midwicket.
Ackerman is livid but has to depart for a 11-ball 17.
DOL 74-4 after 10
28 April 14:40
28 April 14:37
WICKET!
Nqabayomzi Peter is introduced into the attack and strikes immediately!
Khaya Zondo tries to shuffle to flick the ball to the legside but is defeated and the ball hits his front pad. The umpire lifts his hand and the set Zondo has to depart for 37 off 25 balls (hitting four fours and two sixes).
The Lions are pumped and the crowd are loving the action!
DOL 50-3 after 7
28 April 14:33
WICKET!
Captain Bjorn Fortuin strikes in his opening over.
Jon-Jon Smuts tries to drive but gets a leading edge and the ball flies high with Reeza Hendricks taking a comfortable catch at mid-off.
Smuts departs for only seven off nine.
DOL 41-2 after 6
28 April 14:27
5-over update:
The Dolphins are making the most of the powerplay despite the early loss of opener Parsons. Zondo and new batter Jon-Jon Smuts continue to pick up the odd boundaries here and there.
DOL 38-1 after 5
Zondo 28*
Smuts 6*
28 April 14:17
WICKET
Oh dear! Massive miscommunication in the middle.
Bryce Parson walks down the wicket, hits it straight to the mid-on fielder Jones. Parson calls for the single but Khaya Zondo does not run.
Parsons is already at the other end and Jones throws it to Rickelton, who dislodges the bails at the striker's end. Parson departs for three off six deliveries.
DOL 13-1 after 3
28 April 14:11
Khaya Zondo gets the Dolphins innings under way with two boundaries off Wiaan Mulder. There's some movement on offer at a partly cloudy Wanderers.
DOL 13-0 in 2
28 April 14:02
Bryce Parsons and Khaya Zondo will open the batting for the Dolphins.
Codi Yusuf will take the new ball for the Lions.
Game on!
28 April 13:49
Teams:
Lions
Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder, Delano Potgieter, Evan Jones, Bjorn Fortuin (c), Codi Yusuf, Lutho Sipamla, Nqabayomzi Peter
Dolphins
Khaya Zondo, Bryce Parsons, JJ Smuts, Marques Ackerman, Jason Smith, Andile Phehlukwayo, Eathan Bosch, Tshepang Dithole, Prenelan Subrayen (c), Daryn Dupavillon, Okuhle Cele
