Dolphins hoping to be third time lucky

THE Titans have increased their lead at the top of the Ram Slam T20 log, which means that the Dolphins’ hopes of getting Kevin Pietersen back in the fold have receded.

After beating the Dolphins with a bonus point on Wednesday, the Titans drew further ahead on Friday when they beat the Cobras at Newlands.

This means they have 25 points, seven clear of the Dolphins, with the top two teams each having three pool matches left.

When Pietersen left the franchise last Sunday, he said he would return to Durban if the Dolphins topped the log and qualified for a home final.

That seems less likely now than it did a week ago, with Morne van Wyk’s men suffering two consecutive defeats to go with Friday’s washout at Buffalo Park against the Warriors.

Dolphins coach Lance Klusener was an angry man after the fiasco against the Titans on Wednesday, calling on his players to show greater commitment to their franchise and themselves after they subsided to 70 all out, their lowest total in the competition.

Klusener said a mental shift was desperately needed.

“It’s about letting the Dolphins down, and we need to apologise to our fans for that performance. I don’t think it’s a skill thing – it’s a mindset or a commitment thing. It’s about wanting to be your best, which I sometimes have to question.”

In an attempt to bounce back, the Dolphins made a positive enough start to their innings at Buffalo Park, but the rain had the final say after Van Wyk and Vaughn van Jaarsveld had taken their opening partnership to 35/0 after 5.1 overs.

Whatever the nature of the hairdryer treatment Klusener meted out to his team, his words will hold equally true for today’s televised match against a young Lions team at the Wanderers.

Although the Lions lie fifth with eight points, they have played only five matches, and a good run in the second half of the competition could see them through to the play-offs.

Indeed, Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana has heaped praise on his squad, saying they have gradually improved and will continue to be competitive.

“It is a young side, but the guys are learning quickly, and you can see improvements game by game,” he said.

“Looking at the five matches we have played so far, I really do feel we have been competitive in at least four of those games.” TEAMS Lions (from): Thami Tsolekile (capt, w/k), Devon Conway, Eddie Leie, Andre Malan, Shaylen Pillay, Alviro Peterson, Dwaine Pretorius, Aaron Phangiso, Bjorn Fortuin, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Nicky van den Bergh, Hardus Viljoen and Rassie van der Dussen

Dolphins (likely): Morne van Wyk (capt, w/k), Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Khaya Zondo, David Miller, Cody Chetty, Dwayne Bravo, Andile Phehlukwayo, Ryan McLaren, Keshav Maharaj, Craig Alexander, Ayavuya Myoli

Start: 4pm TV: SS2/CSN from 3.45pm