Comfortable win for Dolphins

File image - A team bowling effort, led by Kyle Abbott with 3/54 and Robbie Frylinck's 2/39, ensured the Dolphins scored an important and thrilling victory when they beat the Titans in their One-day Cup clash. Photo by Johan Pretorius

File image - A team bowling effort, led by Kyle Abbott with 3/54 and Robbie Frylinck's 2/39, ensured the Dolphins scored an important and thrilling victory when they beat the Titans in their One-day Cup clash. Photo by Johan Pretorius

Published Nov 17, 2012

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Durban - Imraan Khan’s third career century proved crucial as the Dolphins leapfrogged the Titans into second place on the One-day Cup standings with a comfortable four-wicket victory at Kingsmead on Friday.

The left-handed opener struck a measured 101 off 119 deliveries to set the hosts on their way as they chased down the 250 victory target with 1.2 overs to spare.

Rowan Richards managed a career-best four for 38 for the Pretoria outfit, but it proved in vain as they were left to rue an inexplicable batting display that saw them set the foundation for a plus-300 score only to fade away terribly and be bowled out in 45.4 overs.

Mangaliso Mosehle struck his highest score of 118 from 120 balls, also a maiden century for the young wicketkeeper in one-day cricket, and apart for a run-a-ball 63 from Henry Davids, the Titans lost their way, eventually slipping to a second loss of the season.

After winning the toss and batting first, the visitors failed to capitalise on all the early work by Davids and Mosehle, who put on 142 together in just 20.2 overs.

Despite the loss of Heino Kuhn (four) - dismissed by Craig Alexander (2/33) in the fourth over - the pair counterattacked magnificently.

They took their side past past 50 in the 12th over, with Davids reaching his 23rd one-day half-century in 56 balls, followed by Mosehle in 57 deliveries.

The 100 was raised in the 19th over as the two got stuck into Prenelan Subrayen (3/52) and Cameron Delport in particular, who conceded 66 between them in just seven overs.

The Titans raced to 150 in 23 overs, but then lost five wickets for 22 runs as Davids, Martin van Jaarsveld (one), Farhaan Behardien (three), Albie Morkel (one) and David Wiese (nought) fell in quick succession, the latter three succumbing in the space of five Kyle Abbott (3/44) deliveries.

A 10 minute delay then ensued after a floodlight failure, and upon resuming, Mosehle went to his century in 94 balls.

Roelof van der Merwe (14) helped stem the free-flow of wickets in a 41 stand with Mosehle, before both fell, followed by the tail as the Titans were dismissed having wasted 26 deliveries.

The Dolphins hardly looked troubled during their response.

They were given a solid enough start after Delport (18) and Khan put on 44 for the first wicket.

Captain Daryn Smit was next in, and after guiding his side past 50 in the eighth over, the former skipper reached his 19th limited overs 50 in 54 balls.

The two put on 67 together before Smit was caught and bowled by Wiese for 34.

Cody Chetty was next in and showed his growing maturity with a vital 40 that contributed to an 80 run stand with Khan.

However, both fell to Richards just before the 200 was raised as the visitors threatened a comeback.

Vaughn van Jaarsveld (15 not out) and Robbie Frylinck (28), however, kept their composure and took the Dolphins home with eight deliveries to spare. - Sapa

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