Maharaj signs off in style

KESHAV Maharaj will sit on a plane to New Zealand next to Temba Bavuma and Stephen Cook today, and the man from Durban will have a big grin on his face. Last night, he said goodbye (for now) to the Dolphins in style, as he scooped five for 40 to snatch a tense, 27run victory in the Momentum One-Day Cup at Kingsmead last night.

The pile of runs that have characterised the early stages of this season’s competition made way for a good old scrap, as the Dolphins and the Lions served up an engaging battle, with the home side’s death-bowling holding its nerve and pipping a dogged Bavuma to the post.

The Proteas’ batsman, who has struggled for runs of late, dug in for a tenacious 74. Though he will be gutted he didn’t see his side home, Bavuma’s time at the crease would have been invaluable. Ultimately, though, he was part of a three-wicket burst from Robbie Frylinck in the 46th over, which turned the match on its head.

The Dolphins’ Friday Night Lights’ man got rid of the surprising Nono Pongolo (31), Phangiso and Bavuma in the space of six balls, before Maharaj administered the last rites. It completed a fine show of mongrel from the Dolphins, who could just as easily have been turned over, after a grim first hour in the match.

A top-order crumble saw them reduced to 48 for four, and staring down the barrel, with the Lions’ spinners holding sway. Bjorn Fortuin, with figures of three for 34, and the nagging Aaron Phangiso looked like they might spin an impenetrable web, but Sibs Makhanya and skipper Khaya Zondo had other ideas.

The former, still finding his feet at this level, played as if he was a veteran, spraying some truly majestic shots all over the park, oblivious to the team’s parlous situation. His career-best 82 was ended by an unfortunate run-out, but the former SA U19 captain can rest easy knowing that he has shown that he can live – and thrive – at the franchise level.

Zondo chugged along to a composed 74, making sure that his side took the match deep as they posted a competitive 245 for seven. In turn, the bowlers nibbled away, holding their nerve even when Pongolo and Bavuma looked to be taking the Lions home.

Zondo saved Frylinck and Maharaj for the squeeze at the end, but he would have been heartened by the offerings of Calvin Savage and Mthokozisi Shezi (both 0 for 39) as they kept the pressure on in the middle overs.

The Dolphins now host the Cobras in Pietermaritzburg tomorrow.