Marques Ackerman set up the KZN Dolphins’ 12-run DLS win over the Northerns Titans in their One-Day Cup clash in Durban on Thursday.
After the Titans won the toss and chose to bowl at Kingsmead, the Dolphins posted 281-9 from their 50 overs, built around a superb 92 off 74 balls from Ackerman.
The hosts lost Tshepang Dithole early, trapped lbw by Duan Jansen without scoring, before Jon-Jon Smuts added 22 and was dismissed by Gerald Coetzee to leave the Dolphins 53-2.
Ackerman and Slade van Staden then steadied the innings with a vital partnership. Van Staden compiled a solid 64 off 79 balls as the pair guided the Dolphins past 150.
Ackerman accelerated before being caught off Andile Phehlukwayo.
Lower-order contributions from Gomolemo Phiri (31) and Eathan Bosch (25) helped the Dolphins close strongly.
Jansen was the Titans’ most successful bowler with 3-54, while Dayyaan Galiem returned 2-40.
Rain interruptions reduced the Titans’ chase to a revised target of 164 in 20 overs under the DLS method.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rivaldo Moonsamy fell cheaply, putting them immediately on the back foot. Keegan Petersen (18) and Keagan Lion-Cachet (14) attempted to rebuild, but the required rate continued to climb.
The Dolphins’ bowlers maintained pressure, with Andile Simelane producing an outstanding spell of 4-29. Veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir also played a key role with an economical 2-10.
Late resistance from Phehlukwayo (26), Gerald Coetzee (20) and Jansen (23*) kept the Titans in the contest, but they finished on 152-9 in their 20 overs.
Photo: @DolphinsCricket/X
