Bravo half-century fails to save Dolphins from defeat in final

Dwayne Bravo … stroked 53 for Dolphins in a losing cause.

CENTURION, South Africa, CMC – An exhilarating half-century from Dwayne Bravo was not enough to save Dolphins from defeat as Titans produced a superior performance to lift the Ram Slam T20 Challenge here Saturday.

Dwayne Bravo … stroked 53 for Dolphins in a losing cause.
Dwayne Bravo … stroked 53 for Dolphins in a losing cause.

Sent in, Dolphins rattled up 159 for five off their 20 overs with West Indies all-rounder Bravo top-scoring with 53 and South African David Miller chipping in with 33.

In reply, Titans romped to their target with 19 balls to spare, to claim a convincing seven-wicket win and their fourth domestic T20 title.

Dolphins were given a measured start when captain Morne van Wyk (29) and Jonathan Vandiar (26) added 49 off 45 balls for the first wicket.

However, the innings was declining at 76 for three in the 12th over when Bravo arrived to lash five fours and three sixes in a 30-ball knock, which lifted Dolphins.

The right-hander put on 83 for the fourth wicket with Miller who crunched four fours and a six off 25 deliveries.

In reply, Titans suffered an early blow by losing the prolific Quinton de Kock cheaply for 12 with the score on 25 in the fourth over.

But Dolphins’ hopes were quickly dashed as Mangaliso Mosehle carved out an astonishing 87 off 39 balls with six fours and seven sixes, to end the game as a contest.

He put on 123 for the second wicket with Henry Davids who made 35 off 38 balls.

Both were dismissed in successive deliveries in the 15th over but by then, Titans were all but home.

Bravo sent down three overs for 22 runs without taking a wicket.