Dolphins maul the Lions
● Van Jaarsveld’s 124 leads way in one-dayer
A century by Vaughn van Jaarsveld trumped a matchhigh 130 by Reeza Hendricks as the Hollywoodbets Dolphins made a strong start to their Momentum One-Day Cup title defence with a 19-run victory over the bizhub Highveld Lions in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the hosts amassed 342 for six in a highscoring opening match of the campaign for both sides, with the visitors restricted to 323 for nine in reply at the City Oval.
Left-hander Van Jaarsveld led the way with a career-best ninth 50-over ton after he plundered 124 off 102 balls (14 fours, 2 sixes), while there were also half-centuries by Dane Vilas and David Miller.
The Lions had a good go at the chase thanks to Hendricks’s 130 off 117 balls (12 fours, 1 six) – his 12th career ton – and a 51 off 57 (4 fours) from captain Rassie van der Dussen.
But it was not enough as the Dolphins held out for a solid start to the competition.
They were up against the form team in the country on Saturday, but the Lions may have been thinking twice after opting to bowl first as the home side recorded the thirdhighest score in their history.