McKenzie's Lions Make MTN40 Semi-Finals

Nov 15 2010

...but Tahir takes 4 wickets for Dolphins and there’s good news for Rose Bowl-bound Sri Lanka and England.

Neil McKenzie’s Highveld Lions side have become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the South African MTN40 competition after beating Imran Tahir’s KwaZulu Natal Dophins on Friday night.

However, the Dolphin’s loss wasn’t for lack of trying on the part of the Hampshire spinner. Tahir came into the attack a quarter of the way through the Lions’ run chase and proceeded to take three wickets in as many overs, including that of his 2011 season colleague (caught and bowled for 10). At one point Immi had figures reading 4-0-20-4!

It wasn’t enough, though, as an undefeated sixth-wicket partnership of 108 between Somerset’s Zander de Bruyn and Thami Tsolekile saw the Lions safely to their 197 target.

However, it wasn’t all bad news for the Dolphins, who secured a seven wicket win on Sunday over the Cape Cobras.

Again, Tahir led the way with two wickets at the expense of just 14 runs from his eight overs, finishing with an excellent economy rate of 1.75.

Furthermore, the first of his wickets was that of opener Herschelle Gibbs, trapped lbw.

Immi’s Dolphins went on to pick up the 162 runs needed inside 30 overs and currently sit second in both Pool B and the Cross Pool tables.

Meanwhile, The Rose Bowl-bound Sri Lanka moved up to second in the ICC One Day International World rankings after their 2-1 series victory over Australia last week and their opponents at The Rose Bowl, England continued their fine warm up to the Ashes with a draw against South Australia. The match was notable for a fine second innings century for both openers, Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook.

The two teams will compete in the npower Test Series match at The Rose Bowl between 16 - 20 June 2011.

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE for this match.
Please click here for more information and to buy tickets

Words: Simon Vincent
15/11/10