Tahir seven-for seals big Lions win
by Thahir Asmal 06 January 2013, 11:05
Another five-wicket haul from Proteas discard Imran Tahir helped the
bizhub Highveld Lions wrap up an emphatic 252-run victory over the
Sunfoil Dolphins early on day four of their Sunfoil Series clash at
Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday.
Full Scorecard – Dolphins v Lions
Set a victory target of 416, the hosts were rolled over for just 163
in 66 overs inside the opening 90 minutes of day four with the
leg-spinner chief destroyer after picking up a fine seven for 64.
It was his 47th career five-wicket haul and came on the back of his
five for 42 in the first innings for match figures of 12 for 106.
He took four of the remaining five wickets to fall on the final day
with little resistance coming from the home side, apart from a
fighting 34 off 118 deliveries by Khayelihle Zondo.
The Dolphins, who were 118 for five at the start, began the day in the
worst possible fashion as new batsman Cody Chetty fell second ball of
the morning when he pushed forward at a Tahir delivery and edged
it to De Bruyn at first slip.
That gave the bowler a second wicket in three deliveries after he took
out nightwatchman Mthokozisi Shezi in the same over with what turned
out to be the final ball of day three.
Daryn Smit joined Zondo and pair looked solid as they batted together
for an hour – the Dolphins surpassing the 150-mark in the 58th over.
But the partnership was broken on 42 when the captain missed one from
Tahir and was sent on his way leg before wicket by umpire Brian Jerling
for 25.
Zander de Bruyn (1-24) then trapped Zondo lbw in the over that
followed as the hosts were in free-fall on 160 for eight.
Calvin Savage added one to the total before he was outfoxed by a Tahir
googly, with the slow bowler then bowling Craig Alexander (0) to
complete a win that moved the Lions up two places to third on the log.
They now have 53.72 points, more than 25 behind the leading Nashua
Mobile Cape Cobras, who are on 79.58, although they do have a game in
hand.
The Dolphins remain fourth with 53.18 points.
Report Day 1
Report Day 2
Report Day 3
TEAMS:
SUNFOIL DOLPHINS: Imraan Khan, Divan van Wyk, Jonathan Vandiar, Vaughn
van Jaarsveld, Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo, Daryn Smit (capt & wkt), Kyle
Abbott, Mthokozisi Shezi, Craig Alexander, Calvin Savage.
BIZHUB HIGHVELD LIONS: Stephen Cook (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Neil
McKenzie, Temba Bavuma, Gulam Bodi, Zander de Bruyn, Brett Pelser,
Dieter Klein, Imran Tahir, Ethan O’Reilly, Pumelela Matshikwe.
