Welcome rain in the North West Province robbed the Highveld Lions of a possible victory in the MTN40 match against the Dolphins Senwes Park on Wednesday. The Dolphins won the rain-interrupted match by 21 runs, according to the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The Dolphins won the toss and elected to bat in overcast conditions on a wet outfield after more than 30mm of rain fell overnight in Potchefstroom.

The visitors were restricted to 216 runs in their alloted 38 overs after rain stopped play for a while and overs were deducted.

Hashim Amla was the mainstay of the Dolphins innings with a well played 78 from 90 deliveries (10x4). Andre Nel showed that he can still do it with his performance of 4/49 in his 7.5 overs. Friedel de Wet took 3/33.

In reply the Lions' innings was reduced to 31 overs after rain stopped play again. Zander de Bruyn and Neil McKenzie fought valiantly but the last ball was bowled with the Lions 21 runs short of victory with the score on 173/7.