Big guns back for ‘Phins
Kimmince and Johnson set for final Shield surge
THE Gold Coast Dolphins will welcome back WBBL title winners Delissa Kimmince and Sammy-Jo Johnson tomorrow as they make one last push for a top-two finish in the Katherine Raymont Shield.
Key figures in the Brisbane Heat’s run to a breakthrough WBBL crown last month, Kimmince (one game) and Johnson (eight games) have hardly been sighted for the Dolphins this season but will return for the meeting with the Diehards at Bill Pippen Oval.
Sitting fourth but still a mathematical chance of making the top two, the Dolphins’ quest for a home final took a blow last weekend with a shock loss to last-placed Ipswich-Logan.
But with their high-profile all-rounders adding firepower to coach Garry Lovett’s arsenal, they are appearing primed for a return to the winners’ circle against the thirdplaced visitors.
“It’s exciting to go back and see all the girls,” Kimmince, who smashed an unbeaten 101 in her only Dolphins appearance this season, said.
“I haven’t been there for a while so it’s nice to go back and have a little bit more of a relaxed day at the cricket. It’s obviously a different standard when you go back but I wouldn’t say it’s hard to go back.
“We’re lucky it’s a really good group with Garry and the girls. It’s good to hang out with them and talk some rubbish.
“Garry always keeps us informed (how the team is going) and I think when Sammy and myself and Georgia Redmayne have been away, the young girls have stepped up and performed quite well. It’s nice we have still got the depth at the club.”
With just three rounds to play before finals, Sunday could be Kimmince’s final appearance this season after being called into the Southern Stars squad for the threematch One-Day International series against New Zealand (February 22, 24, March 3).
The 29-year-old and the rest of Cricket Australia’s contracted women will then have a month off before stepping up preparations for the Ashes mid-year.
The Dolphins’ men will also be boosted by the inclusion of Heat duo Max Bryant and Matt Kuhnemann for their two-day clash with Norths at Ian Healy Oval today.
The Vikings have included Test batsman Joe Burns in their squad for the penultimate game of the season.