DURBAN - Jon-Jon Smuts was the spearhead of a colossal collapse of 8/32 as the Dolphins were stunned by a 93-run defeat to the Warriors early on the final day of their four-day series encounter in Durban on Thursday.
The visiting skipper claimed 4/17 in just eight overs as the hosts lost their way from 89/2 to 123 all out in a chase of 217.
There were also the splendid figures of 3/7 from the virtually unplayable Sisanda Magala, while Simon Harmer bagged 2/55.
Despite the good bowling, it was a horrible effort with the bat by the KwaZulu-Natal franchise after they had worked so hard the previous three days – they had a 160-run first innings lead - to put themselves into contention for a first win of the season.
Jon-Jon Smuts was the spearhead of a colossal collapse of 8/32 as the Dolphins were stunned by a 93-run defeat to the Warriors Photo: @OfficialCSA on twitter
Instead they ended with a worrying second loss from three matches in 2018/19 – one that pushed them to the bottom of the table.
The Dolphins resumed with all 10 wickets intact at the start as they set out on 18/0, needing a further 199 under blue skies at Kingsmead.
They lost openers Sarel Erwee (18) and Vaughn van Jaarsveld (18), but there were no alarm bells thereafter as top-scorer Cody Chetty (33) and skipper Khaya Zondo (14) rebuilt with a 34-run third wicket stand.
RESULT: @Hollywoodbets Dolphins 123 all out. @eathbosch the last man to fall, bowled off the bowling of Smuts.
Disappointing day with the bat, bowled out in the first session.
We lost by 93 runs. #DOLvWAR #4dayseries #DolphinsCricket pic.twitter.com/ZAqKeE1kpd
— Dolphins Cricket (@DolphinsCricket) October 25, 2018
p>But it all went pear-shaped after Smuts broke the stand when he had the former caught at point by Yaseen Vallie.
Senuran Muthusamy (0) followed two balls later, before Dane Vilas (12) and Zondo fell within four runs of each other.
It was 108/6 at that stage, with Magala accounting for Robbie Frylinck (one) and Keshav Maharaj (none) in successive deliveries – ending all hope as the Dolphins slumped to defeat.