Eagles v Dolphins, SuperSport Series final, Bloemfontein

Dolphins take command

Keith Lane

March 20, 2005

Eagles 334 and 121 for 3 (van Wyk 61*, Beukes 42*, Symcox 3-25) trail Dolphins 612 for 8 decl (Amla 249, Kent 120, Mall 66) by 157 runs
Scorecard

The Dolphins played themselves firmly into a commanding position on day four of the SuperSport Series final against the Eagles at Goodyear Park in Bloemfontein.

A maiden double-century from Hashim Amla and a first century of the season for Jon Kent allowed the Dolphins to declare on 612 for 8, the 16th-highest first-class total in South African cricket. The Dolphins kept the Eagles in the field for 14 hours before striking three times, Russell Symcox claiming the top three batsmen.

Amla's innings came to an end on 249 when he was run out after a mix-up with Russell Symcox. His innings lasted five minutes short of 11 hours. Kent and Amla put on 296 for the fifth wicket, before Kent was caught behind off Cliff Deacon for 120. Symcox (9), Lance Klusener (13) and Duncan Brown (27*) found runs difficult to come by as the Eagles bowlers struggled on, notching three runs an over. At the end, Andrew Tweedie flayed a quick 14 before the declaration came.

The Eagles were left with a deficit of 278 to overhaul and four sessions to survive bat - and they started their reply in disastrous fashion, losing three wickets to Symcox in the space of 10 overs. Davey Jacobs was bowled without scoring, while Boeta Dippenaar (9) and Loots Bosman (0) edged to the keeper.

Jonathan Beukes (42) and Morne van Wyk (61) steered the innings back on track with an unbroken partnership of 92 as the Eagles finished on 121 for 3, still 157 behind.

A tense final day waits.

© Cricinfo