Lions roar at Kingsmead
Ackerman first sub in SA franchise cricket
THE DOLPHINS ended the second day of their Four-day Franchise Series match against the Lions 331 runs in arrears after they were reduced to 92/5 by the visitors at Kingsmead.
It appears that the men from Durban can only save this match, given the 423 that the Lions amassed in their first dig.
After the century by Stephen Cook, and half-centuries from Reeza Hendricks and Kagiso Rapulana on the opening day, Rassie van der Dussen weighed in with 69 to lift his side beyond 400.
There was some reward for the Dolphins bowlers, too, with Keith Dudgeon snatching a quite remarkable caught and bowled chance, low to his left, to get rid of Nicky van den Bergh. Sen Muthusamy, who came in to replace Keshav Maharaj, bowled 46 out of 136.3 overs, and returned figures of 4/119. Though his batting has hit a dip, he continues to get wickets.
In reply to the Lions, the home side first had to rearrange their batting card. Vaughn van Jaarsveld’s injury – officially confirmed as a fractured cheek – saw Marques Ackerman become the first substitute in South African franchise cricket, taking over all of Van Jaarsveld’s match responsibilities.
Cricket South Africa introduced the rule two seasons ago, and labelled it the Concussion Policy. It allows a team to replace a player who takes a blow to the head or face, as long as it is a like for like replacement. The opposition have to agree on the switch.
Van Jaarsveld did not pick up the flight of a Rapulana cut, and the ball missed hitting him in the eye. He is likely to be out for the next month.
The Dolphins promoted Grant Roelofsen to open with Sarel Erwee. The latter didn’t last long, caught behind in the third over, from Beuran Hendricks. Roelofsen didn’t last much longer, as he played all round Bjorn Fortuin, and was trapped in front.
The Durban clouds looked to be halting play at that stage, but after a preponed tea break, the sun broke through, and stayed until well into the evening. It didn’t quite shine on the Dolphins’ batting, though, as they struggled to get out of first gear.
Skipper Khaya Zondo hooked Hendricks down to long-leg for 10. REAL Madrid are set to sign Spain Under-19 international forward Brahim Diaz from Manchester City for an initial fee of around £15 million, according to reports in British and Spanish media yesterday.
Diaz, 19, played only 50 minutes for City in the Premier League last season.
Ackerman only made 33, but he played enough shots of crispness to suggest that the Van Jaarsveld mishap had a touch of serendipity. He creamed a couple of drives to the fence and cut one, too, before pulling a Wiaan Mulder long-hop to the fence.
He tried to repeat the stroke. This time, it was a touch fuller, and a bit sharper. It was onto him before he was set, and he skied it. Fortuin, who had been at cover, eventually took the catch where a short mid-off might have been.
Muthusamy’s woes with the blade continued, as he edged Mulder to second slip, for a six-ball nought. At 58 for five, the Dolphins looked in danger of dismal capitulation, but Andile Phehlukwayo (17 not out) and Sibonelo Makhanya (16 not out) batted cautiously to get to the close.
They will resume this morning, still with a mountain of runs to climb.