With the Proteas into the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday (2.30am SA time) against Afghanistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago, their Hollywoodbets Dolphins contingent has played a crucial role in getting South Africa to the final four of the event.
The trio of David Miller, Keshav Maharaj and Ottniel Baartman have all played important parts in the Proteas side to get them to the semi-finals with Miller contributing vitals runs with the bat and Maharaj and Baartman adding value with the ball.
Miller is currently South Africa’s second highest run scorer at the competition and has been a critical part of the batting line-up that has had to deal with tough batting conditions throughout the competition.
Miller’s 59 not out against the Netherlands helped South Africa recover from 12/4 to win by four wickets.
He also contributed another vital 43 against England in their second match of the Super 8 which meant the Proteas had enough runs to defend.
From a bowling perspective, Maharaj has been as steady and reliable as always for the Proteas throughout the tournament.
He has missed one match so far in the competition but has picked up nine wickets in the tournament so far at an economy rate of just over six runs per over.
This return sees him in the top 10 bowlers in the competition for bowlers who have bowled more than 20 overs in the tournament.
The Proteas had to defend 113 against Bangladesh and thanks to Maharaj’s 3/27 South Africa restricted Bangladesh to 109/7 in their 20 overs to pull off a remarkable win in New York.
The result saw South Africa defend the lowest target in a full 20 over men’s T20 International between full-member nations.
Baartman only made his debut for the Proteas prior to the start of the World Cup and shone against the West Indies taking 3/26 in his first outing for the national side.
He continued that good form through the first part of the competition with an impressive display against the Netherlands where he bagged 4/11, career-best figures for the seamer in international cricket.
Those figures are the seventh best figures of the tournament so far.
South Africa will now face Afghanistan for a spot in a first men’s ICC World Cup final with either England or India to face in that title decider.
For Hollywoodbets Dolphins head coach Imraan Khan, he’s pleased by how the Dolphins players have added immense value throughout the competition.
"The Proteas side have shown that they can win from any situation in this World Cup and I've been pleased by how our Dolphins players have contributed to the cause," Khan said.
"We know that Dave (Miller) and Kesh (Maharaj) are seasoned internationals and are crucial members of that squad but to see the impact that Ottas (Baartman) has had on the team and matches is pleasing for us.
"He's a whole-hearted, dedicated cricketer and to see him performing on the toughest stage possible has been fantastic.
"We wish the Proteas all the best for their semi-final and we hope they can take that step closer to a first World Cup crown."
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