CAPE TOWN – Anything Carlos Brathwaite can do, so can Dolphins star Robbie Frylinck!
Brathwaite memorably struck England all-rounder Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes to win the World T20 title for the West Indies in Mumbai a couple of years ago.
On Wednesday night at Boland Park, it was Frylinck that turned on the magic.
The Proteas T20 all-rounder was at the crease with the Dolphins requiring 11 runs for victory off the final two balls of their Momentum One-Day Cup tie against the Cape Cobras.
Ferisco Adams was tasked with delivering those two final deliveries, with the medium-pacer having developed a reputation for spectacularly closing out games this season, earning the nickname “Ice Man” in the process.
But on this occasion the pressure was too much for Adams, with Frylinck smashing two consecutive sixes to take the Dolphins past the Cobras’ competitive 289/6.
Adams missed his lengths horribly, though, with a slower ball and full toss being dispatched over midwicket by Frylinck.
The Cobras had actually done well to get themselves into that position after veteran Dolphins opener Morné van Wyk struck a superb 107 (137 balls, 10x4, 1x6). He was ably supported by opening partner Sarel Erwee, who also hit a superb 80.
Morné van Wyk of the Dolphins celebrates his hundred at Boland Park on Wednesday. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
However, the Dolphins lost their way after the openers were dismissed, with Wayne Parnell picking up 2/45, while Adams also collected two wickets.
Earlier, Cobras captain JP Duminy struck a classy 86 – his third half-century of the tournament – to help the home side post 289/6 off their 50 overs.
Duminy struck six boundaries and two sixes in his 66-ball stay, but sacrificed a century in pursuit of quick runs for the team.
The left-hander’s innings moved him up towards the top of the competition’s run-scorers’ list.
The Cobras innings started in the worst possible fashion, though, when opener Richard Levi was dismissed second ball for a duck.
The rebuilding was initially done by the consistent Pieter Malan, who struck a patient 62 (88 balls, 5x4), while Cobras No 3 Aviwe Mgijima also hit a composed 40. The pair put on a century partnership for the second wicket from 153 balls.
However, it was only when Duminy was joined by Parnell (32) that the run-rate improved significantly.
Unfortunately it was not enough on the night for the Cobras, with the Dolphins finishing on 291/7.
@ZaahierAdams
IOL Sport