The first CSA T20 challenge semi-final saw the Lions beat the Dolphins by eight wickets thanks to a great partnership from Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen at the Bidvest Wanderers in Johannesburg.
INNINGS ????
the bizhub Highveld Lions have sealed a home FINAL on Sunday by 8 wickets.
????@tbavuma10 52*
????@Rassie72 69*#JoinTheChargeForAutism #LIOvDOL #CSAT20Challenge pic.twitter.com/mZh6FBUqnZ— Lions Cricket (@LionsCricketSA) May 1, 2019
Lions skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first. The Lions were looking to go back to winning ways after losing their last completed match at the same venue to the Warriors.
The experienced Dolphins opening pair, Morne van Wyk and Vaughn van Jaarsveld got off to a flyer, scoring 50 runs in the batting powerplay. Wiaan Mulder provided the breakthrough dismissing Van Wyk(32) and Cody Chetty(6) in the 8th over. Wickets started to tumble with the Dolphins losing Sibs Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy and Khaya Zondo in quick succession. Van Jaarsveld kept up with the tempo but fell three runs short of a half-century off the bowling of Aaron Phangiso. A late surge by Andile Phehlukwayo 25(18) and Keshav Maharaj 21*(9) propelled Dolphins to 163/8 after their 20 overs.
In response, Ryan Rickleton gave Lions a brisk start as they reached 50/1 in the fifth over after the loss of Reeza Hendricks 6(7) to Daryn Dupavillon. Rickleton would be the last wicket to fall caught and bowled by Dupavillon who finished with figures of 2-22 in his four overs. Rassie van der Dussen and Bavuma put on a 112 run partnership for the second wicket reaching the target of 164 with eight balls to spare. Lions will have to chance to add a T20 trophy as they did with the 4 Day cup when they host the Warriors on Sunday at the Bullring.
