Dolphins must find new way to shine
GOLD Coast coach Garry Lovett says the depleted Dolphins will have their backs to the wall in this weekend’s crucial Twenty20s but insists they will leave no stone unturned in their quest for back-to-back crowns.
Having collected their first historic piece of Katherine Raymont Shield silverware in last season’s Twenty20 competition, the Dolphins are precariously poised with four games to play in 2019-20.
With four wins and four losses, they sit level on eight points with fourth-placed Valleys but slightly behind on net run rate.
It makes tomorrow’s games against Sandgate-Redcliffe (second) and University of Queensland (third) at Deagon potentially season-defining, with their final 20-over fixtures to come against Valleys (January 4) and Wynnum Manly/Redlands (January 5) after the Christmas break.
Adding to the degree of difficulty in tomorrow’s assignment, the Dolphins will be without wicketkeeper Rebecca van Helvoirt and all-rounder Amy Riddell, who starred in last Sunday’s one-day win over Wests.
Australia A commitments will keep Georgia Redmayne and Sammy-Jo Johnson out, while Southern Stars quick Delissa Kimmince is being rested.
“It’s going to be a huge effort for the girls this weekend, we will certainly give it a redhot crack though,” Lovett said.
Wicketkeeper Redmayne and Johnson are part of the Australia A side that will take on India A in one-dayers at Allan Border Field today and on Monday.
Bowling all-rounder Johnson, 27, will then return home to the Coast for T20s at Robina’s Bill Pippen Oval on December 19, 21 and 23.
The first two T20s begin at 1pm, with the third to start at 10am. Entry is free.