Marvellous Morris tears through Dolphins
by Jane Bramley 30 September 2012, 12:02
A career-best eight for 44 by Chris Morris led the bizhub Highveld Lions to what at one stage appeared an unlikely 53-run victory over the Sunfoil Dolphins on the final morning of their Sunfoil Series match at Bidvest Wanderers on Sunday.
Full Scorecard: Lions v Dolphins
The Dolphins resumed play on 149 for four, needing 92 runs for victory, and would probably have been quite confident of reaching that total.
However, the Lions, spearheaded by Morris, had other ideas.
It did not take long for Morris to get into action, aided by a brilliant diving catch by stand-in wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, to dismiss David Miller for 31.
In his next over, Morris got rid of Cody Chetty for 16, thanks once again to a superb diving catch from De Kock.
Hardus Viljoen stepped up to the plate to claim the wicket of captain Daryn Smit, who got a glove to the ball, which went straight to Neil McKenzie at first slip.
After that it was just a sorry procession of Dolphins batsmen, who watched the game slip away over by over.
Robbie Frylinck completely missed a straight delivery from Morris that crashed into his off stump, Kyle Abbott’s middle stump was sent cartwheeling by a Viljoen delivery, and Morris wrapped up the innings when Craig Alexander top-edged the ball to Pumi Matshikwe at fine leg.
The Dolphins were all out for 187.
It had taken the Lions an hour and 20 minutes to wrap up the match, with six wickets falling for 38 runs.
On the final morning, Morris bowled 8.3 overs, including two maidens, and took four wickets for just 14 runs.
His match figures were 12-101 and he now holds the record for the best bowling in a match and in an innings for the Lions – both records previously held by Garnett Kruger.
Report Day 1
Report Day 2
Report Day 3
TEAMS:
BIZHUB HIGHVELD LIONS – Stephen Cook (capt), Quinton de Kock, Zander de Bruyn, Neil McKenzie, Themba Bavuma, Goolam Bodi, Thami Tsolekile (wk), Chris Morris, Hardus Viljoen, Imran Tahir, Pumelela Matshikwe
SUNFOIL DOLPHINS – Imraan Khan, Divan van Wyk, Jonathan Vandiar, David Miller, Cody Chetty, Daryn Smit (capt & wk) , Robbie Freylinck, Kyle Abbott, Dane Paterson, Craig Alexander
