Khan commits to KZN Cricket
AFTER successfully leading the Dolphins franchise over the last two years, Imraan Khan is set to remain with the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union until the end of the 2023-24 season along with Quinton Friend and Mduduzi Mbatha.
After being appointed Dolphins coach at the start of the 2019/20 cricket season, the 37-year-old Khan led the franchise to the One Day Cup trophy in his first campaign at the helm of the Durban side.
Last season, the Dolphins had their most successful campaign to close off the franchise era in style as they shared the 4 Day Franchise series with the Titans before winning the One Day Cup and losing the final of the T20 Challenge against the Proteas-laden Lions. It was the only time in franchise history that a side had reached the final of three competitions.
Khan, who is currently with the South African Emerging side in Namibia, is excited about the future.
“We have created a strong squad of players and people which has made the job a lot easier for us,” Khan said.
“There is still a lot of work to do and we are excited that the management have given us the opportunity to continue the work we are doing with this group of players.
“It’s vital that we build on last season’s performances and continue to grow as a team and as a coaching staff.
“Quinny and Duzi have been brilliant in everything they have done and in the extra work that they have put in with the boys and hopefully we can continue to produce cricketers that play for the Proteas.”
Meanwhile, Senuran Muthusamy is set to embark on a new phase of his career as he leaves KwaZulu-Natal for the North West.
The end of the past cricket season brought an end to the franchise era with domestic cricket reverting to a 15-team provincial format from next season.
The 27-year-old Muthusamy, who made his first-class debut in 2013 when he was 19, told the POST that leaving his home province after a lengthy spell has been “tough”.
“It’s all I’ve ever known. I am glad that I could leave after winning the Four Day Franchise Series which makes it a bit easier. It’s been my home as long as I can remember and I’m grateful for the opportunity to play for the Dolphins and win trophies with the Dolphins. As difficult as it’s been, I’m looking forward to the next challenge of my life and a new chapter,” said the two times capped
Proteas Test player.
Muthusamy’s move is set to see him become his new team’s first choice spinner.
After taking 28 wickets in the Four Day Franchise competition last season and finishing as the third highest wicket-taker in the competition, behind only Keshav Maharaj and Shaun von Berg, experts rate Muthusamy as one of the premier spin bowlers in South African domestic cricket.
“I’m looking forward to testing myself in different conditions. Hopefully,
I can grow and keep growing as a cricketer over the next couple of seasons. Conditions will be different to Durban but I have played in Potchefstroom and so I have a sense of how to go about it. To keep improving as a cricketer, you should be able to do it in different conditions with the bat and the ball,” said Muthusamy.
He said the highlight of his time with the Dolphins was receiving his first cap for the team and taking the last wicket which won them the Four Day Franchise series.
Muthusamy will be a leader in the North West change room as he is one of three previously capped Proteas players in the team, with the other two being veteran wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn and all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius.
“I’m looking forward to having the role of a senior player.
“I was a senior at the Dolphins as well and look forward to imparting some of my thoughts and beliefs while also learning about those conditions and how the guys go about playing in the Highveld,” he said.