Dolphins book T20 final spot

Dolphins spin twins Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subrayen destroyed the Lions, bowling them out for just 110 and clinching a bonus point win that will assure the KZN team of first place on the log and an automatic place in Sunday’s final.

The Lions were chasing 152 for victory, a challenging target on a pitch that was getting slower and slower, but they would never have expected to gift the Dolphins a crucial bonus point and a place in the final, as they were bowled out in the last over.

The Lions can only draw level with the Dolphins on the log if they beat the Cape Cobras with a bonus point tomorrow, and then the result between the two teams takes preference over run-rate.

Spinners Maharaj and Subrayen opened the bowling and returned in the middle overs, and had combined figures of 4/28 in their eight overs.

Orthodox left-armer Maharaj only conceded 10 runs in his four overs and off-spinner Subrayen took 3/18.

Rassie van der Dussen was the only batsman to briefly break free from the stranglehold, scoring 33 off 29 balls before holing out to a Subrayen delivery.

Seamers Robbie Frylinck and Ottneil Baartman provided excellent support to the spinners as they both took 2/26.

The Lions bowlers were able to continue their impressive form in the competition, restricting the Dolphins to 91/4 in the 15th over.

But the evergreen David Miller was still at the crease and he batted through to the end, belting 56 not out off just 38 balls with some great death batting that took the Dolphins to 151/4.

Fast bowlers Rabada (4-0-25-1) and Beuran Hendricks (4-0-22-0) were the best of the Lions bowlers.

Earlier, the Titans stumbled to a shock 43-run defeat by the Warriors, leaving them with work to do to still make the semifinal playoff.