Bosman rules for Eagles

Eagles 185 for 5 (Bosman 84*) beat Dolphins 181 for 5 (Sugden 50, Klusener 63*) by 4 runs
Scorecard

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first in front of 8,025 spectators at Kingsmead, the Eagles smashed the highest total of the Standard Bank PRO20 Series. Thanks to Loots Bosman's undefeated 84, they racked up a total of 185 for 5, with the last 100 runs of the innings coming off 8.1 overs.

Boeta Dippenaar and Nicky Boje set the tone of the innings, with both batsmen scoring at better than a run-a-ball. Bosman came to the crease at 55 for 2 after eight overs and a high total was already on the cards. But he took the bowling by the scruff of the neck, smashing six fours and six huge sixes, two of which ended up on the roof of the stadium. His 84 was scored off only 44 deliveries and he was involved in a 78-run partnership, in six overs, with Benjamin Hector, who madde 29 off 17.

In reply, the Dolphins needed a solid start, but disaster struck when they lost two wickets in the first two overs. Craig Sugden, back in Durban after a stint with Border, picked things up with 50 from 35 balls, before holding out to long-on. Lance Klusener then strode to the crease with the Dolphins' hopes squarely on his shoulders. His 50 came up in 26 deliveries, but needing 24 off the last six balls was always going to be a big ask. Jon Kent managed two fours and a single in the first three balls, and Klusener two fours and a two thereafter, but he finished stranded on 63 from 30 balls. The Dolphins should have got him in earlier.