Dolphins slump to 66-run defeat in absence of Kevin Pietersen
Thursday 19 November 2015 10:49, UK
Dolphins surrendered top spot in the Ram Slam table as they crashed to a 66-run defeat to Titans in their first match without Kevin Pietersen.
Seamer Chris Harris claimed career-best figures of 4-9 as Dolphins, set 137 to win, slumped to 70 all out in 15.4 overs.
The bonus-point win means Titans leapfrog Dolphins in the table and now are five points clear at the top with five wins from six matches.
Quinton de Kock made light work of a slow pitch to give Titans a strong platform but his 38 off 31 balls - which featured six fours - proved to be the top-score of the innings.
Mangaliso Mosehle (25) offered a measure of support but once de Kock fell to a fine David Miller catch at midwicket, Ryan McLaren (3-28) and Andile Phehlukwayo (3-27) chipped away.
Dolphins' chase imploded after skipper Morne van Wyk (seven) cut Morris to Graeme van Buuren at point.
Khayelihle Zondo, batting at three in Pietersen's absence, lasted only four balls before he was bowled fourth ball by Albie Morkel and when Vaughn van Jaarsveld fell the Dolphins were in the mire at 15-3.
Morkel bagged his second when Cody Chetty miscued to mid-on to make it 19-4 and when Junior Dala cleaned out Miller (12) with his first ball, the game was as good as up.
An abject batting display was summed up when McLaren was run out for one after a terrible mix up with Darren Bravo.
The home crowd did have something to cheer though when Phehlukwayo cleared the rope and was caught one-handed by a fan in the crowd - the third supporter to qualify for the Ram Slam's 'Catch a Million' campaign.
Our Ram Slam coverage continues at 4pm on Friday when Cape Cobras take on Titans on Sky Sports 5.
