Moreki hat-trick sinks Dolphins
UNPLAYABLE: TITANS FAST BOWLER IS STAR OF THE DAY
There are few more exciting occurrences on a cricket field than a hattrick and Tshepo Moreki provided the dramatic blows that set up a thrilling victory for the Titans in their Four-Day Domestic Series match against the Dolphins at Centurion yesterday.
The Titans were rewarded for a brave declaration on 234/7 just before lunch on the final day that set the Dolphins 291 to win in 71 overs, and paceman Moreki took the seventh, eighth and ninth wickets to fall as the Titans won by 129 runs with 35 minutes left to play.
The Dolphins were bowled out for 161 in just 60.3 overs, on an excellent pitch that provided something for everyone, but was good for batting up to the final hour.
Moreki’s figures of 4/32 in 17 overs are his best in franchise cricket, while left-arm spinner Neil Brand played a crucial hand by taking 2/20 in 15 overs. The rookie also scored 106 and 77 with the bat, and the Titans are clearly getting the best out of the highly-promising 23-year-old.
Jason Oakes, a concussion substitute for opening batsman and wicketkeeper Grant Roelofsen, scored 55 as the Dolphins made a bright start, but after Dayyaan Galiem made a double strike, the visitors tried to close up shop.
The Dolphins were 146/7 when Moreki returned to the attack, his first ball being a wide half-volley that Andile Phehlukwayo, having defended stoutly for over an hour, skewed to backward point, Brand taking a good running catch.
Eathan Bosch was bowled by the next delivery, which nipped back and kept a little low, Moreki then completing the hat-trick with an excellent delivery that bounced and seamed away to find the edge of Daryn Dupavillon’s bat, wicketkeeper Rubin Hermann taking a fine catch.
The other match in Kimberley also ended in victory for the home side with the Knights beating the Warriors by 255 runs.
The Warriors began the final day on 64/5 chasing 436 for victory, and they were bowled out soon after lunch for 180. Other than a last-wicket stand of 63 between Glenton Stuurman (45*) and Lutho Sipamla (18), there was little resistance from the batsmen.
Young fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who was making his franchise four-day debut, took 4/53 in 15 impressive overs, with left-armer Mbulelo Budaza (94-39-2) and leg-spinner Shaun von Berg (6.3-1-24-2) being the other chief wicket-takers for the Knights.