Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock led a frenzied run chase to spur the Natal Dolphins to an exhilarating six-run win over the Lions in a Pro 20 cricket match at the Wanderers on Friday night.
The left handed Klusener blasted 48 from 25 balls as KwaZulu-Natal surged to 163 for four with a ball to spare after the Lions had posted 162 for six.
The real heroics though were provided by Pollock. With 12 required from the final three balls, Pollock smashed Garnett Kruger for two enormous sixes to seal the win.
The Dolphins, who had yet to win a game in the 20 over format, looked destined to continue that loosing streak after accumulating just 55 run sin the opening ten overs.
However, after Craig Sugden and Dale Benkenstein had kick-started the charge by scoring 41 and 43 respectively, the visitors had at least put themselves into a position to launch further attacks.
Despite a 50 run partnership in 32 balls between Klusener and Benkenstein, Natal still needed 65 runs in the last five overs.
Klusener though savaged Justin Ontong and Derek Crookes to put the visitors within 14 runs of victory with six balls to spare.
After a brief lull in scoring at the start of the over, Pollock provided the finishing touches.
The Lions’ tally was founded on an entertaining 80 from 53 balls from skipper HD Ackerman. – Sapa