The first week of the CSA T20 Challenge has been nothing short of action, with the Hollywoodbets Dolphins currently placed fourth on the log standings after five matches (2 wins, 2 losses and 1 No Result).
A look at their opening matches;
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs World Sports Betting Western Province – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
Dolphins suffered their first defeat in a thrilling finish that saw WSB Western Province claim a narrow two-run win on the opening night of action in the 2023/24 CSA T20 Challenge.
The hosts we restricted to 146/7, chasing 149 on the east coast as WP bowlers unleashed destruction to secure victory for the visitors.
WP had won the toss and batted first to set a first-innings score of 148/8 with their side eventually escaping with a narrow win.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs Dafabet Warriors – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
Dolphins lost by seven wickets against Warriors at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.
The home side simply could not get going after winning the toss and batting, ending on 121/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Marco Jansen (2/14) and Siya Simetu (2/15) were the two stand out bowlers, while former Warriors’ captain, Jon-Jon Smuts top-scored with 30.
In reply, Jiveshan Pillay (42) and Matthew Breetzke (31) did most of the damage with the bat to ensure their side won at a canter, with 35 balls to spare.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs DP World Lions – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins ended their winless start to the season and inflicted a first loss on the previously unbeaten DP World Lions thanks to a 4-wicket final-over win.
Batting first after losing the toss, South Africa’s Test captain Temba Bavuma hit a breezy unbeaten 53 (40 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) to lift his side to 155/5 – Okuhle Cele (2/21) and Ottniel Baartman (4/25) taking two wickets each.
The home side lost wickets throughout the chase but opener Bryce Parsons (62* off 49 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) proved to be the glue, and with help mainly from Jason Smith (32), ensured they got over the line with five balls to spare.
Gbets Rocks vs Hollywoodbets Dolphins – Boland Park, Paarl
In Paarl, the Dolphins bounced back from consecutive losses with a second successive win after they thumped Gbets Rocks by nine wickets for a bonus-point win of their own at Boland Park.
Bowling first, the Durban side restricted their hosts to a poor 125/8 with two wickets each for Daryn Dupavillion (2/30), Okuhle Cele (2/27), Ottniel Baartman (2/26) and Prenelan Subrayen (2/19).
The Dolphins needed just 14.3 overs to chase down the score with Grant Roelofsen (71* off 45 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) doing most of the damage along with Bryce Parsons (47).
The pair put on 108 for the first wicket, before the former took his side home with 33 balls to spare.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins vs Auto Investments North West Dragons – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Durban
The match between the Dolphins and Dragons was abandoned after 13.2 overs with the away side reaching 79/4 when the rain arrived to ruin the evening for both teams in Durban.
