Paterson damages Dolphins with three late strikes

A brilliant late burst by Dane Paterson left the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in a mess after the third day of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras in Cape Town on Wednesday. The Standard Bank Proteas quick claimed four for 51 – three of those wickets coming in six balls – as the visitors were left limping to stumps on 265 for seven, a lead of 153. The late strikes undid the earlier hard work by Dane Vilas, Sibonelo Makhanya and Sarel Erwee, who all hit half-centuries. There was also a 10th career five-for from Robbie Frylinck that initially set the tempo as the visitors bowled out the hosts for 337. It had represented a good comeback from the KwaZulu-Natal side, who battled in the face of twin centuries by Vernon Philander and Pieter Malan on day two. However, the third day brought more joy as they wrapped up the tail quickly by claiming the remaining two Cobras wickets for 20 runs. Frylinck got both of them for figures of five for 86, with Okuhle Cele ended with three for 61. Erwee then led the way with the bat by anchoring the early part of the innings with his 54 off 178 balls (10 fours). He put on a 74-run opening stand with Vaughn van Jaarsveld (44), before sharing 55 with Cody Chetty (34). Three quick wickets opened the door for the Cobras as the Dolphins fell from 129 for one to 148 for four. But Makhanya (53 off 80 balls, 8 fours) and Vilas (68 off 113 balls, 7 fours) added 113 for the fifth wicket as the away side edged into a much better position. That was as good as it got, though, with Paterson getting Makhanya and Kerwin Mungroo (0) from successive balls. Frylinck (0) followed in his next over, leaving Vilas the lone man fighting at the close.