Dolphins crushed by Cobras
by Brendon Atwell 24 February 2013, 19:27
An unbroken 2nd-wicket partnership between Richard Levi and Dane Vilas gave the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras a crushing nine-wicket victory over the Sunfoil Dolphins in the RAM SLAM T20 Challenge match at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.
Full Scorecard – Cape Cobras v Dolphins
Levi and Vilas added 115 undefeated runs for the second wicket off just 77 balls in what was a commanding display of batting.
The Cobras chased down the target of 134 that was set by the Dolphins, reaching 137 for one with 26 balls remaining.
Both Levi and Vilas were given a chance, after Ravi Bopara dropped Levi when he was on 74 and Vilas was dropped by Vaughn van Jaarsveld when the Cobras needed only two runs to win.
Levi notched up his best local T20 score of 80 not out, which came off just 53 balls, with seven fours and three sixes.
Vilas ended undefeated on 43, when he smashed Mthokozisi Shezi over mid-off for four. Vilas faced only 37 balls which included three boundaries and a six.
The only wicket to fall was that of Stiaan van Zyl (5), who pulled a ball from Craig Alexander straight to Bopara at midwicket with the total on 22.
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But Vilas and Levi set about dismantling the Dolphins' bowling attack. Only Prenalen Subrayen escaped relatively unscathed, conceding 17 runs in three overs. All the other bowlers went for more than eight runs an over.
The Dolphins elected to bat but found the decision to be the wrong one, as the Cobras claimed three early wickets.
Jonathan Vandiar (1), Khaye Zondo (9) and Cody Chetty (8) all fell by the 6th over with the score on 22.
But a wonderful 4th-wicket partnership between Bopara and Van Jaarsveld rescued the visitors somewhat.
Bopara crafted a wonderful 60 off just 44 balls, with three fours and three sixes, but was run out off the last ball of the innings.
Van Jaarsveld was given a reprieve when he was on 10, after he had been bowled by Beuran Hendricks off a no-ball.
He went on to make 36 off 42 balls and provided the support Bopara needed.
The pair added 84 for the 4th wicket, but it was a little too late for the visitors, as the Cobras had the stranglehold on the Dolphins from the word go.
Although Hendricks and Charl Langeveldt claimed two wickets apiece, it was Johann Louw and Dane Piedt who strangled the visitors. Louw conceded 19 runs in his four overs while Piedt's spinners went for only 18 runs in four overs.
The Cobras now move into second position on the RAM SLAM T20 Challenge log, with eight points from three matches. The Dolphins remain on two points, which they picked up in their first game, which was affected by rain against the Nashua Titans.
The Dolphins travel to Bloemfontein next, to take on the Chevrolet Knights on Wednesday, while the Cobras take on the Nashua Titans in Benoni on Thursday.
NASHUA MOBILE CAPE COBRAS: Richard Levi, Stiaan van Zyl, Dane Vilas (wk), Owais Shah, Justin Ontong (capt), Qaasim Adams, Azhar Mahmood, Beuran Hendricks, Johann Louw, Dane Piedt, Charl Langeveldt.
SUNFOIL DOLPHINS: Jonathan Vandiar, Khaye Zondo, Cody Chetty, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Prenelan Subrayen, David Miller, Ravi Bopara, Daryn Smit (capt, wk), Robbie Frylinck, Craig Alexander, Mthokozisi Shezi.
