‘Top order must fill the void’
THE Dolphins must learn how to win again after losing three of their key players, Kevin Pietersen, Kyle Abbott and Prenelan Subrayen, in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge.
The Dolphins began the competition in rousing form, winning their first four matches thanks largely to Pietersen’s flashing blade.
The victory march was stopped by the Cobras on Sunday, and now the Dolphins face a tough challenge at the start of the second half of the competition when they host the second-placed Titans at Kingsmead tonight (6pm).
“We’ve got to learn how to win again in the face of disruptions to the team,” said coach Lance Klusener yesterday.
The outstanding Pietersen contributed two hundreds and two half-centuries to the Dolphins’ cause, but his shortterm contract is now up. Subrayen, who had taken eight wickets in four matches, was banned from playing domestic cricket last week because of an illegal action, while Abbott has replaced the injured Vernon Philander in India.
This, plus the addition of their second overseas pro, Dwayne Bravo, as well as the return of loanee Ryan McLaren, has significantly changed the balance of the side, and Klusener said it was a question of learning how to produce positive results again with a different mix of players.
The Dolphins yesterday announced a 13-man squad for the next three matches, with the in-form Vaughn van Jaarsveld likely to be given an opportunity as Morne van Wyk’s partner at the top of the order.
After today’s match, the Dolphins travel to East London for Friday’s game against the Warriors, before continuing on to Johannesburg for Sunday’s clash against the Lions at the Wanderers.
Klusener said it was particularly important that the team’s top-order batsmen step up to score the runs that Pietersen made.
“It will be a challenge for David Miller, Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo and Morne van Wyk to compensate for Pietersen’s loss,” he said.
Although he was disappointed by Sunday’s defeat, Klusener said he took heart from the way his team kept on fighting to the end on Sunday.
“Richard Levi batted very well up front, and it was always going to be difficult after that. Nevertheless, I was pleased with the way (spinners) Keshav Maharaj and Khaya Zondo bowled.”
Klusener acknowledged that the Dolphins had misjudged the conditions at Centurion, going into the match with one too many pace bowlers.
The implication was that this was why pace bowler Ayavuya Myoli didn’t get a bowl – because the slow, spinfriendly conditions didn’t suit him – and not for any other reason.
Commenting on Subrayen’s rehabilitation, Klusener said he and the Dolphins had been down this road twice before.
“Subrayen must learn to trust his new action, and we hope that he can be tested again in about three weeks.”
The new-look Dolphins team will be severely tested tonight by arguably the most powerful team in the competition under the captaincy of Albie Morkel.
Although they lost their first match against the Dolphins, they have won four on the trot since then to be equal on points with tonight’s hosts.
Good quality pace and spin, as well as strong batting, are all in evidence, not to mention good outfielding – a quality the Dolphins have lacked.
“Our fielding has been a concern,” Klusener admitted. “I think it’s more a mental than a technical thing. It’s about wanting to go out and field, rather than just bat and bowl.”
In short, they need a Jonty Rhodes to inspire them.