Proteas batsman Rassie van der Dussen spearheaded the Lions to an eight-wicket victory over the Dolphins in Wednesday’s CSA T20 Challenge semi-final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
The Lions will contest Sunday’s final at the same venue against the winner of Wednesday’s second semi-final between the Warriors and Cape Cobras.
Pursuing a 164-run target, the Lions triumphed with eight deliveries to spare on the back of Van der Dussen’s 69 not out from 49 deliveries, which featured a quintet of fours and trio of sixes.
He shared a century partnership alongside captain and fellow half-centurion Temba Bavuma. The pair’s unbroken 112 marked a record third-wicket partnership for the Lions against the Dolphins in this format, surpassing the previous-best held by duo Quinton de Kock and Alviro Petersen gathered six seasons ago.
Bavuma and Van der Dussen’s middle-order work was preceded by opening batsman Ryan Rickelton’s 35 off 19, who took the attack to a largely uninspired Dolphins bowling department.
Earlier, Bavuma’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss saw the Dolphins limited to 163 for eight. Opener Vaughn van Jaarsveld top-scored with 47, while seamers Lizaad Williams and Wiaan Mulder snared two wickets each. Williams is currently on loan to the Lions from the Cobras.
Photo: Gallo Images | Gordon Arons
