Dolphins face tough weekend test
THE Dolphins have a big Momentum One-Day Cup weekend on their hands, and the men from Durban are eager to press on from their explosive start against the Titans a week ago.
They host the Lions at Kingsmead today, before taking on the Cobras up the road in Maritzburg on Sunday.
Coach Grant Morgan has admitted that they have not been flawless, and reflected on a few issues from the Titans game that need ironing out.
“We never want to create a negative environment at the halfway stage of a game, but from within the coaching staff, we weren’t happy with our ground fielding and wides,” he admitted.
“You are never going to restrict the amount of wides to nothing, but I think anything under six is decent. We want to be as close as possible to zero – but that is a perfect goal.”
The Dolphins now welcome the other half of the Jukskei divide, and it is a challenge they are relishing.
The Dolphins have found joy against Geoff Toyana’s men this season, though the defending champions looked in good nick during their 44run win over the Warriors on Sunday.
Mischievous Morgan did ponder about the continued absence of Proteas’ contracted player Aaron Phangiso from last week’s round of fixtures, and that answer may avail itself at Kingsmead.
Toyana, the Lions boss, was happy with the start his young charges made, but he knows it’s a long road to the final.
“We always back ourselves at home, so we’re happy with the start we made in that first game,” Toyana remarked.
“But there’s a lot of work that lies ahead. Remember, it’s still early days in the competition,” he warned.
It is frightfully early, but some early warning shots have already been fired.
For one thing, scores beyond 300 have been given scant respect by line-ups that bat deep, such as the Dolphins.
“They had a good start. I mean chasing over 320 was a fantastic effort. They’ve got a good, balanced side with plenty of match-winners, so it will be key for us to start the game well,” Toyana added.
Fast starts in Durban are always handy, and now that the sun has returned, it may be sensible to bat first and trust that the night brings a few Durban gremlins to the playing surface.
Both coaches are advocates of brave cricket, and they never die wondering.
Morgan admitted this week that he had half an eye on the Cobras, too, given the sharp turnaround to Sunday’s game.
He would have noticed the ease of the Cape men’s win over the Warriors on Wednesday night, and no doubt refreshed his rash of notes.
“I’ve got a bit of an eye on the Cobras, but we take it one game at a time. They (Cobras) are a very good side, improving all the time, and I look forward to going up to Maritzburg.”
But the drive up the N3 is tomorrow’s indaba. For now, the Dolphins can’t dare to overlook the Lions, themselves intent on rescuing a season that has been underwhelming, by their own, considerable standings.
They are still marked as domestic champions, and would like to keep it that way.
If the temperamental Durban weather behaves, it should be a most intriguing battle of wits between two old coaching dogs who’ve done it all before, and are still just as eager for more.
Play between the Dolphins and the Lions begins at 2pm.