Seamer Yusuf Abdullah turned in an impressive bowling performance for the Nashua Dolphins in their MTN Domestic League cricket match against the Cape Cobras at Kingsmead on Friday night to put the home side on the path to victory by 22 runs.
The Cobras were out for 181 off 43,2 overs in reply to the Dolphins total of 203 for six.
Abdullah bowled three maiden overs to begin with and in miserly fashion only gave up his first run off the second ball of his fourth over. He went on to finish with two for 28 off his nine overs.
And if that was too much for the Cobras to swallow the man who replaced him at the Umgeni end, Johann Louw, also began with a bang by taking two wickets before conceding his first run.
None of the Cobras batsmen got to 20 among the top order as they slumped to 76 for six off 22 overs with captain Thami Tsolekile (10) the victim of a spectacular run out at the hands Ahmed Amla.
Late resistance was provided by Vernon Philander with 57 that included six boundaries before he too was the victim of a great run-out strike by Hashim Amla.
The Dolphins started with a bang and then fell off badly as the Cobras bowlers took command. They then rallied 203 for six off their 45 overs.
Doug Watson (22) and Imraan Khan (72) hardly seemed troubled in posting an opening stand of 60.
Then Khan and Hashim Amla consolidated by adding another 61 for the second wicket before Amla (31) fell leg before to his old nemesis Adam Bacher.
The runs had come off 26 overs and a big total seemed to be in their grasp.
However it was not to be as spinner Con de Lange and paceman Rory Kleinveldt got among the middle order to dismiss skipper Ahmed Amla and the normally explosive Lance Klusener rather cheaply. Both claimed two scalps for 33 and 38 respectively.
The Dolphins slumped to 164 for six but then Jon Kent (20 not out) and Duncan Brown (18 not out) restored the balance with a stand of 39 before the overs ran out. – Sapa