DOLPHINS HOPING TO BOUNCE BACK

A TRIP to the Pietermaritzburg Oval for a Four-Day Franchise Series clash with the Knights is the next assignment for the Dolphins starting today.

The Dolphins started the year with a loss to the Lions at Kingsmead, but have had a week to get themselves into the right frame of mind for their game against the fourth-placed Knights in Pietermaritzburg.

There was a shining light for the Durban in their last four-day match; a brilliant 124 in the second innings by Sibonelo Makhanya helped them fight to make the Lions bat again. This determination will be important for the Dolphins going into their final three matches of the campaign.

Batting has been an issue for the Dolphins throughout the four-day competition and coach Grant Morgan knows the players he has at his disposal have the ability to put together the scores that will give them a chance to win.

“The crux of the matter is that we need to commit to the process of setting up a game,” the coach said.

“I just want the team to be playing good cricket. Scoring 300 and learning how to put other sides under pressure.

“The fact that we are not scoring the runs in good conditions is a concern and those are the things that we are currently addressing.

“Batting is where have focused all our energy this week and we have taken a more basic approach to our preparation.”

Unfortunately for the Dolphins they will be without the services of Vaughn van Jaarsveld, who took a blow to the face while fielding against the Lions, and Andile Phehlukwayo, who is training for the upcoming one day international series against Pakistan.

There is an emphasis on bringing in younger players into the four-day competition and with the likes Marques Ackerman, Grant Roelofsen, Eathan Bosch and Keith Dudgeon the Dolphins are building for the future.

The Knights are fourth on the standings and will be hoping to make a rush towards the top with just three games left in the competition. Morgan understands that they are in a transition phase with the loss of their coach; however they will be a big test.

“The players will be in that phase where they will be committed to impressing the new coach,” Morgan said.

“They have a good leader and they have always been a fighting unit, which are great characteristics of a good cricket team.”

Amongst the young players that are in the squad is Thamsanqa Khumalo.

The youngster has had a good start to the year, scoring runs at the recent CSA Cubs Week which also led to selection for the South Africa Under-19 team.

Dolphins v Knights Squad:

Sarel Erwee, Marques Ackerman, Cody Chetty, Khaya Zondo(c), Sibonelo Makhanya, Senuran Muthusamy, Grant Roelofsen (wk), Eathan Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Keith Dudgeon, Kerwin