Dolphins vs Knights Rain and bad light ultimately proved to be the main winner as the 4-Day Domestic Series encounter between the Dolphins and Knights ended in a draw at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday. The inclement weather, which led to no play on day two and just over 50 overs squeezed in on day three, again briefly returned on the final day, allowing for only 72 overs to be sent down. To their credit, both teams tried to initiate a result, before the visitors finished the game on 181 for three in pursuit of a target of 295. The Central Franchise resumed at the start of play on 174 for six, but three wickets in 15 balls early on by Keith Dudgeon (3-32) gave the Dolphins hope. However, Rudi Second, who ended unbeaten on 80 (138 balls, 11×4), found support in a stubborn Tshepo Ntuli (one not out) to frustrate the home side, before they declared on 206 for nine. The hosts then attacked their way to 146 for three declared, thanks to quick-fire half-centuries by Sarel Erwee (57 off 72 balls, 10×4, 1×6) and Khaya Zondo (59 not out off 45 balls, 10×4). With only 35 overs available, the Dolphins needed to strike, and strike early too. And they did that through Ethan Bosch (3-44) after he removed Grant Mokoena (2) in the first over, but a partnership of 126 between Raynard van Tonder (60 off 89 balls, 6×4) and Keegan Petersen (71 not out off 92 balls, 7×4) ended all hope of a result. Play was also halted in between due to poor light as the weather again had its say, while right-hander Petersen, one of the stars of the season, went past 5 000 first-class career runs. Dolphins 354-7 decl (MJ Ackerman 137, S Muthusamy 89, K Zondo 34, G Roelofsen 32, E Bosch 22 not out; T Mnyaka 3-71, ZC Qwabe 2-46, T Ntuli 2-111) & 146-3 decl (K Zondo 59 not out, SJ Erwee 57; PE Kruger 1-8, T Mnyaka 1-14, ZC Qwabe 1-53) Knights 206-9 decl (RS Second 80 not out, SC van Schalkwyk 35, TG Mokoena 27, AGS Gous 27; E Bosch 4-82, KJ Dudgeon 3-32) & 181-3 (KD Petersen 71 not out, R van Tonder 60, RS Second 32 not out; E Bosch 3-44) Match drawn Footage: Cricket South Africa
Proteas coach Ottis Gibson addresses the media after the Proteas returned home from a disastrous 2019 World Cup campaign.
Proteas fans remain optimistic ahead of the match against New Zealand.
Anitha Madikizela chats to Dolphins paceman Daryn Dupavillon ahead of the One-Day Cup final for the Dolphins against the Titans at Centurion on 31 March 2019. Dupavillon had been recalled to the Dolphins side that beat the Warriors by seven wickets with 185 balls remaining in the semi-final of the One-Day Cup match at Durban.
Proteas speedster Anrich Nortje talks to the media after his haul of 3-57 in the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka at George's Park on Wednesday. Footage: Cricket South Africa
Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis chats to the press after South Africa's comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka at Durban on Sunday which secured a 3-0 series victory for the Proteas with two matches in hand. Footage: Cricket South Africa
Aiden Markram speaks to the media after his innings of 60 for South Africa in the first innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth. Footage: Cricket South Africa
Proteas paceman Duanne Olivier speaks to the media after returning figures of 4-3-3-1 on day three of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead. Footage: Cricket South Africa
Dale Steyn talks to the media after a superb bowling display on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead. Footage: Cricket South Africa